Charles Knowles Harmar

Charles Knowles Harmar died at home on December 19, 2024 of Alzheimer's Disease and Lewy Body Dementia. Born June 6, 1949, Charley grew up as one of six in Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia. A tenacious competitor, he loved playing sports, especially ice hockey, tennis, and paddle tennis. After attending John Story Jenks Elementary, he went on to Germantown Academy, where he played varsity football and tennis, and Princeton University, where he played varsity ice hockey. Among classmates and friends, he was known for his incisive quips and satirical cartoons. He began his career at Fidelity Bank (now Wells Fargo) spending 22 years there. He remained in the health care and education lending sector as a commercial mortgage broker. Charley was a longtime board member of the former Children’s Service, Inc. of Philadelphia and also faithfully served as an interviewer for Princeton’s Alumni Schools Committee. He later was active in the Eastern Montgomery Chamber of Commerce and the Glenside Economic Development Task Force. A proud father and husband, he is survived by his wife, Emily F. Harmar; children, Josiah B. Harmar and Lila K. Harmar; siblings, Nina Harmar (Fargo) Thompson, Josiah (Frank Lewis) Harmar and Holly Harmar (Osamu) Shimizu, as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. A celebration of life is planned for 3:00 PM on June 21, 2025 at The Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields in Chestnut Hill. Gifts in memory may be made to Episcopal Community Services of Philadelphia, www.ecsphilly.org.