Charles Albert "Charlie" Doremus

Charles Albert Doremus, 82, of Daphne, Alabama, passed away peacefully on October 12, 2025, with his loving wife, Melanie Miller Doremus by his side.

Charles, also known by his friends as "Charlie", was born in Long Branch, New Jersey, January 16, 1943, to William Albert Doremus and Ruth Cyerne Eastmond of Red Bank, New Jersey. The Doremus family came to America in the 1600's and settled in New Jersey. The streets of Red Bank New Jersey are adorned with the Doremus name. His family history is an American story of business, community and meeting the needs of its people.

Charlie was preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn Bergan Doremus. They were married 46 years and reared 3 outstanding, hardworking, smart children, Charles P. Doremus, Tracy Ann Doremus and Trevor St. John Doremus. Marilyn loved Charlie well, purely and unconditionally. In unison his love returned to her in abundance. They moved to Aiken, South Carolina to be with their son CP and his wife, Amy, and had happy years enjoying the South, as well as equestrian endeavors and croquet.

Marilyn passed suddenly in 2011. Charlie remarried Melanie Miller Doremus, who after 20 years of being single, truly found the love of her life in Charlie. Melanie could have never loved again had it not been for the loving life Marilyn gave to Charlie. Marilyn paved the way to carve a truly dear man who understood the love balance of a good marriage. Dear Marilyn life-trained and house-trained Charlie well! They shared every part of life and extended their love without bounds in all they did. Even though his love of cooking was always one of his talents, Marilyn taught him to have no problem with a vacuum, broom and daily chores. What a great companion Marilyn created!

After marrying, Melanie and Charlie moved to Pensacola, Florida where Charlie was embraced by Melanie's longtime friends. He loved the Mardi Gras Balls, the many celebrations, fun and festivals bathed in style and traditions of the deep South. He loved entertaining and cooking for friends. These happy years blessed with joy and genuine friends. Charlie's loving heart held Melanie's daughter, Allyson Justice Longshore, as his own. She adored him. Nothing surpasses the pie making and kitchen fun these two had. (Allyson holds the famous pie recipes.)

Allyson stood amazed at how Charlie created joy in the simplest things. With their stories of doing business in NYC Allyson and Charlie could floor you and have you rolling with their NYC stories with an accent. These two shared a very special loving relationship. Every well-feathered Cardinal Allyson sees reminds her of Charlie. She will forever hold the cardinals she enjoyed in Charlie's Garden as "Charlie Birds"

In his later years, Melanie and Charlie moved to Daphne, Alabama, just a short distance from Pensacola, Florida. Daphne and Spanish Fort, Alabama, reminded Charlie of Red Bank, New Jersey in the early years. A sweet slower pace of life in a smaller community felt like home sweet home. It was here after years of searching, Melanie and Charlie found a church they both could love and embrace. The outreach to community and its many missions at Five Rivers Global Methodist Church found our well clad Charlie enjoying every Sunday service that he could. The warmth and mighty outreach of this church in every aspect of community and worldwide missions sang to his heart. He loved the choir, the music and the sermons, which he enjoyed talking about. He adored his time at Five Rivers Church.

The life in Daphne/Spanish Fort was the perfect life. The Timbercreek community and Five Rivers Church were the perfect order of life. His doctors and cardiologist were a close distance. All focus was on the best treatment for quality of life for Charlie. Cardiology Consultants of Pensacola, Florida, gave Charlie many extra years through the miracle of modern medicine at the hands of Dr. Thabet Alshiek and his nurses Jackie, Paula, Drew and Kaylen. Their care and treatment of Charlie's heart gave Charlie extra fulfilling years. Charlie's heart history is unusual. Medical miracles in abundance. His heart history will be used in teaching cardiology and electro cardiology and used in the new field of Astronautical Cardiology. Charlie's heart is famous!

Charlie was a graduate of Red Bank High School and went to Monmouth College. He attended 1 st Presbyterian Tower Hill Church where his great-great-grandfather was a founding member and helped finance the construction on the church building. Charlie fled what he referred to as a "boring endeavor" in attending college and jumped right into successful business ownership as the owner of Dean's Flowers in Little Silver & Red Bank. This is now owned by his brother, Tommy Doremus. He also was owner of Red Bank Answering Service in 1976 as well as Savemore Ashtray Company shortly after which he ran until he retired.

He was a member and past president of the Lions Club and Root Beer and Checker Club. While helping his wife Marilyn raise money for her nonprofit, Operation Mustard Seed, Charlie came up with the idea to sell sweet potato pies and to open a business for recovering addicts that could introduce skills to overcome addiction and have a whole, Godly, good life. He joined hands with the local clergy and AAs to reach these hurting souls in the community. Through God, community, and his loving heart, he shaped them and helped them find their own strength and determination to be dedicated to reach a free life through God. Those in this program had to attend church and AA meetings every week. They had to come in to work on time and clean to learn their trade. The Operation Mustard Seed gave over 200 people a new start in their lives and the art and business of baking. The non-profit grew and local grocery stores and national grocery chains bought their pies. They expanded baking into apple pies only to catch the eye of Ben & Jerrys Ice Cream, where he created the recipe for their Apple Pie Ice Cream. An avid chef, he was always cooking extravagant meals for a house full of friends and family.

Charlie's love for clothes and fashion were unmatched! He had his own unmistakable style. He was known for his handlebar mustache and a flair for dressing well. Charlie had an enviable hat collection at one time, prompting hat- wearing parties. His loving heart embraced the moment for loving, fun, humor and celebration wherever he was.

Charlie is predeceased by his first wife of 46 years, Marilyn Bergan Doremus; brother, Larry Alyn Doremus; his mother, Ruth Doremus; and father, William Albert Doremus; son-in-law, Milton Love Jr.; and brother-in-law, Charles King.

He is survived by his wife, Melanie Miller Longshore Doremus; his children, Charles P. Doremus "CP" and wife Amy, Trevor Doremus and wife Jennifer, and Tracy Doremus; step-daughter, Allyson Justice Longshore; brother, Thomas Doremus and wife Debbie; sister, Marilyn King; sisters-in-law, Gloria Lyttle Doremus and Janet Bergan; four grandchildren, Kevin Hercules, Amaya love, Nevaeh Love and Trevor W. Doremus; one great-granddaughter, Sophia Hercules; and an abundance of other family members and friends.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, please make donations in Charlie's name to: The Memorial Fund, Five Rivers Church, 30941 Mill Lane G-305 Spanish Fort, Alabama, 36527, The Salvation Army, Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs, or the Baldwin County Cemetery Funds.

A Celebration of Life for Charlie Doremus will be held on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at the TimberCreek Community Center, 30170 Leyland Lane, Spanish Fort, Alabama 36527.

Hughes Funeral Home, 26209 Pollard Road, Daphne, AL, is assisting the family.