Charles B. Fay

Charles (Chuck) Barnum Fay, born August 6,1932, in Boston, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on September 20, 2025, at his oceanfront home in Ship Bottom, Long Beach Island, New Jersey, surrounded by his family.

Chuck attended Choate Preparatory School and then Middlebury College in Vermont where he met his wife, Ann Miner Heath from Somerville, New Jersey. He graduated with a BA in Economics in 1954. The plan was for Chuck to return to Boston after graduating college and join the family's Chrysler dealership business. However, during his senior year, Chuck took a ride in a small private plane and became hooked on aviation. His life's path then diverted to M.I.T. where he earned a Master's Degree in Aeronautical Engineering in 1957. Chuck & Ann settled in Media, Pennsylvania, outside Philadelphia where Chuck began his 30 year career at Boeing's Vertol Helicopter Division where he rose through the ranks and for many years was Director of Technology. Chuck was an engineer through and through even in his personal life. No project escaped his exacting analysis or his remarkable problem-solving capability. Even right up to his last few days.

During their time in Media, Chuck & Ann raised five children and were actively involved in the community. As a family, they spent a portion of every summer at Ann's family's summer properties on Long Beach Island NJ. After retiring, and becoming empty nesters, Chuck & Ann split their time between their homes in Long Beach Island NJ, Hilton Head Island, SC and a month on Maui every January. However, Chuck's favorite place was being on the water. He was an avid sailor, and the family would enjoy many sailing adventures in the British Virgin Islands, Ship Bottom, the Chesapeake Bay and the entire east coast via the Intercoastal Waterway. Chuck also enjoyed tennis and traveling. In retirement he learned to scuba dive and made diving trips to Belize, BVI, the Florida Keys, and Hawaii.

Chuck was predeceased by Ann, his wife of 56 years. He is survived by his five children and spouses; Peter (Emma), Douglas (Monique), Sarah (Ted), Russell (Bryn), and Richard (Dawn), nine grandchildren; Gale, Beth, Jaqueline, Matthew, Mackenzie, Amanda, Charlie, Brittany, and Mark; and four great grandchildren; Carter, Wyatt, Kailey, and Estelle. He is also survived by his longtime companion, Margie Wendler.

A private family gathering to celebrate Chuck's life will be held in the coming weeks.

Over the last 15 years, Chuck was a generous donor to the ALS foundation in memory of his beloved wife Ann. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Chuck's honor to the ALS Foundation. https://www.als.org/?form=general