Charles Morgan "Charlie" Ollenschleger

1941 - 2018

Charles Morgan "Charlie" Ollenschleger

Charles Morgan "Charlie" Ollenschleger, 77, a 43-year resident of Bloomingdale, New Jersey, on Saturday, March 24, 2018, at Chilton Memorial Hospital in Pompton Plains.

Born in the "Ironbound" section of Newark, New Jersey on January 8, 1941, Charlie was the third child and middle son born to Gustave (d. 1981) and Grace (d. 1984) Ollenschleger. A 1959 graduate of Belleville High School, he overcame a "lazy eye" to proudly serve a three-year tour of duty in Germany as an enlistee of the United States Army from 1960-1963. Charlie never missed the chance to share his immense pride in his military service and the sacrifices made by his fellow veterans by remarking, "Nice country, America."

Following his honorable discharge, Charlie began his career with Western Electric before embarking on a 25-year career with International Business Machines Corp. in New York City; Franklin Lakes, New Jersey; and White Plains, New York. By the time he retired in 1994, Charlie had risen through the ranks from toiling as a printer in the print shop to serving as the national forms administrator for IBM United States. "Charlie Atlas" then went to work in the rubber mill at Vibrations Mountings & Controls, Inc. in Bloomingdale, where he restored the impressive physique of his youth.

Charlie married his first wife, Margaret "Peggy" Platt, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help R.C. Church in Oakland, New Jersey on November 26, 1966. Residing in the "Pleasureland" section of Oakland from 1970-1975, he was a dedicated member of American Legion Post 369.

After settling in Bloomingdale in 1975, Charlie married his second wife, Elizabeth "Betty" (nee Sorensen) Brown, at Pompton Valley Presbyterian Church in Pompton Plains on May 5, 1979. He remained faithfully devoted to Betty for 37 years until she predeceased him on December 4, 2016.

With Peggy and Betty, Charlie raised two children—his son, Craig, a lawyer; and his "sweetheart" daughter, Sharon, an English teacher—to whom he was intensely devoted and of whom he was exceedingly proud. He later opened his heart and his home to Craig's wife, Christine, and Sharon's husband, Edward, at every opportunity.

During his four decades in Bloomingdale, Charlie served his community as a member of the Bloomingdale Fire Department, Chemical Company, and American Legion Post 154 in Butler.

Charlie was a man of many diverse talents and interests. A devotee of organ music, he could play any organ by ear without being able to read a single note of music. A lifelong reader, he passed on his mother's and his own love of books to his children. A competitor at heart, he often challenged Betty, Craig, and Sharon to dominoes and "cutthroat" gin-rummy card games; in his later years, Friday nights were always reserved for gin-rummy with Betty, Craig, and Christine. A "war baby" who admired the real-life sacrifices of combat veterans, he was an avid World War II historian. A coin collector since childhood, Charlie shared his passion with his son. An animal lover, he gave a loving home to his dogs, Reggie and Pepper, and inspired his son to rescue golden retrievers, including his grand-dogs, Cody, Teddy Bear, and Watson. A lover of the 1950s and 1960s music of his youth and of having a good time, he always danced his own steps—whether on a dance floor or in life. He was a hard worker who never gave up and never gave in, especially when called by duty or to help someone in need.

Above all else, Charlie enjoyed nothing more than entertaining his children, grandchildren, neighbors, and friends with his lavish, home-cooked Sunday dinners. A master of both the oven and the grill, he could prepare prime rib and roast pork in the kitchen, just as easily as he could barbecue spare ribs, chicken, and chops (pork chops were his all-time favorite). No one ever left Charlie's kitchen hungry.

Charlie's devotion to his three grandchildren was unparalleled. "Grampy" always welcomed Logan, Ava, and Timmy with a great, big bear hug and a precious, little gift. Candy and ice pops were never in short supply at Grampy's house.

Charlie is survived by his loving children—his son, the Hon. Craig A. Ollenschleger,the former mayor of Bloomingdale, and his wife, Christine; and his daughter, Sharon M. Clayton, and her husband, Edward, of Vernon; his older brother, William Ollenschleger, and sister-in-law, Janet, of Parsippany; his sister, Judith Sciara, and brother-in-law, Charles, of Somerset; his younger brother, Martin Ollenschleger, and his sister-in-law, Bonnie Rambo, of Wilmington, Delaware; three nephews; four nieces; his adored grandchildren, Logan and Ava Clayton, and Timmy Ollenschleger; his first wife, Margaret Distasi, of Vernon; and his beloved grand-dog, Watson.

The family will receive guests at M. John Scanlan Funeral Home, 781 Newark Pompton Turnpike, Pompton Plains, on Tuesday, April 3, 2018, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. A funeral service celebrating Charlie's life and homecoming will be held at West Side Presbyterian Church, 6 South Monroe Street, Ridgewood, on Wednesday, April 4, 2018, at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Maryrest Cemetery, Mahwah. In lieu of flowers, donations honoring Charlie's life and memory may be made to the Bloomingdale Regional Animal Shelter Society (B.A.S.S.), P.O. Box 24, Bloomingdale, New Jersey 07403, or American Legion Post 154, P.O. Box 267, Butler, New Jersey 07405. www.scanlanfuneralhome.com