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BORN
1945
DIED
2020
FUNERAL HOME
Charles McPhee Obituary
Poughkeepsie - Charles Anthony McPhee, 75, a lifelong Poughkeepsie resident, passed away on June 2, 2020 at Vassar Brothers Hospital. He was born on March 2, 1945 in Poughkeepsie, New York, the third of three children of the late Joseph Jonathan, Sr. and Corene Margaret Cooper.
He attended Edward Ellsworth Elementary School and graduated from Poughkeepsie High School in 1963, where he played Varsity Basketball.
Charles received his early Christian education while attending St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Mansion Street in Poughkeepsie.
He served in the US Army from 1965-1967, stationed primarily in Germany. He received the National Defense Service Medal for Marksmanship. He was a member of the American Legion Post 1302.
He began his work career at Shatz Federal Bearing Company. He worked in the Recreation Department of Hudson River Psychiatric Center in Poughkeepsie, New York and Mid-Hudson Psychiatric Center in New Hampton, New York. He retired in 1999 after 33 years of service.
Charlie lived his life to the fullest. His birthday parties were legendary. He loved old school music and gladly made CDs for friends. He was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan and his favorite past times were watching all kinds of sports, westerns, MSNBC and hanging out in the "Bat Cave" with his brother. He enjoyed road trips to New Jersey, Maryland and Virginia where he could get steamed crabs and spend time with family and friends. He played softball for many years in the City Recreation League. He loved playing cards, dancing and cooking. He especially treasured his trip to Europe with his brother and his last trip to visit his family in the Bahamas. He was a proud, honest and sensitive man who loved his family dearly. He will be missed by many.
Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Leola Ruffin-McPhee, brother, Joseph McPhee Jr., Poughkeepsie, NY; sister, Anna McPhee, Farmington Hills, MI; sons, Steven 'Lord' McPhee, Jonathan McPhee, daughter, Cheala McPhee of Poughkeepsie and Jason McPhee (Natasha), College Station, TX., Step-sons, Shawn Pitcher and Kevin Cherry (Rebecca); granddaughter, Takeisha McPhee, grandsons, Jayson, Shawn, Tysheed, Rasheed; great granddaughter Ezaiyahah; great grandson, Alonzo. God daughter Shari McClearn (Decarius) and god son Richard Frye. A special cousin George Wilkinson of Tampa Florida, beloved friend Tommy Cherry, and a host of cousins, in-laws and friends.
A special thank you to Hudson Valley Hospice and Vassar Brothers Hospital's ER staff.
Mr. McPhee will have a Walk-Thru Visitation 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Monday, June 8, 2020 at Rhodes Funeral Home Chapel, 43 Fairview Ave., Poughkeepsie, NY. (Face Mask REQUIRED). A Private Graveside service w/Full Military Honors Tuesday, June 9, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. Professional Services entrusted to Rhodes Funeral Home, 43 Fairview Ave., Poughkeepsie, NY 12601. "Committed To Being The Very Best" Call us anytime 452-2894 or 452-6143.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Charles McPhee
Sponsored by Rhodes Funeral Home - Poughkeepsie.
Valencia ( Devine ) Dickerson
June 10, 2020
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief. So sorry to hear of Charlies passing.
Milissa
June 10, 2020
So sorry to hear this.I have such amazing memories as a child with Charlie and my father.He was great friends with my dad Stephen Marioles always laughing! I know they will be jamming out in the heavens together..Fly high
Earl and Tyra Ruffin
June 9, 2020
May God bless you Family. Continue to look to the hills from which your help cometh. Praying for strength for you during this time.❤
Art and Bitsy Johnson
June 8, 2020
So sorry Leola to hear about the passing of Charlie. He was a great guy and will be greatly missed.
Richard Morrison
June 8, 2020
A beautiful man with a heart of gold ❤
Im so sorry ....
Live in his memory, not sorrow, he would wish it this way ☺
Sleep well dear prince, we will be along in time.
Joel Hunt
June 8, 2020
Peace and love to the McPhee family, and to all of Charlie's friends.
Ainsworth L Waldemar
June 8, 2020
A great person, and a great inspiration for all.
Linda Green-Watson
June 8, 2020
I am remembering growing up on Hamilton Street where I first met Charles. Blessings and prayers going up for the family.
Linda Green-Watson
June 8, 2020
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
Regina
June 8, 2020
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Sylvia Richardson
June 7, 2020
To The McPhee Family
Our family sends our heartfelt condolences to you. We will miss Charlie-Mac very much. The Poughkeepsie community will not be the same without his smile. Whenever you saw him ,he was always so pleasant and would give such good advice about retirement. My brother Hardrick,
and myself send our love and prayers.
Hardrick Moore and family
Mitchellville,MD.
Sylvia Richardson and family
Poughkeepsie,NY
Dorothy Ross
June 7, 2020
You could not ask for a better friend .
ALBERT HENDERSON
June 7, 2020
Caring, Humble, Articulate. Rewarding, Leader, Energetic, Sure Handed
Apologetic, Neat, Thoughtful, Honest, Original, Noble, Yielding
Musical, Cautious, Polite, Handsome, Established, Everlasting.
Charlie, This the only way I know how to describe you. I thank God for letting me be a part of your life. I'll see you on the flip side. LOVE YOU TO LIFE A. H.
Korhan Arguden
June 7, 2020
Once more, my deepest condolence to Charlie 's family.
Richard Bennett
June 7, 2020
I want to thank God , for brining Charlie into my life for the last 50+ years.
Always the gentleman, always able to see opposing points of view, with a smile. God has got a good man today. Rich Bennett.
Joe Giardullo
June 7, 2020
All the love and sympathy to Charlie's family and friends. Charlie, rest in peace and thank you for your good nature, laughter and smiles. Sail on.
Tommy Cherry and Janet Cherry Grimes
June 6, 2020
Charlie was our "other brother" as we affectionately called him. He was our brother's Rudy's best friend and he called him "Mac". Their birthdays were three days apart. Charlie's famous birthday parties started on his birthday and ended on Rudy's. They had an unbreakable bond; whether riding in Rudy's Monte Carlo or hanging out on Cottage Hill, just chilling. Charlie was a Pittsburgh Steelers fan and Rudy a Dallas Cowboy fan, they both loved sports. Charlie was there for our family when my brother Rudy transitioned. He was such a kind, warm hearted man. Our family loved Charlie. I know Rudy had his arms wide open, embraced Charlie at heaven's gates and said come on "Mac" let's watch the Cowboys beat the Steelers. We will miss you "our other brother".
Anna Ruffin
June 6, 2020
Charlie was a really nice person. I have never heard him speak anything negative about anyone. He told me while he was sick that my sister Leola was a trooper ,she is standing by him and not one time did she complain about being there for him. Charlie loved to come to VA and eat steamed crabs. His cooking would run businesses out of business. He was friendly and most of all he was the best and favorite brother-in-law I ever had. He will truly be missed and never forgotten. He always looked out for me whether I was in VA or Poughkeepsie. He was an example of a great man and treated me like a sister. A fantastic family man.
Beth Soto
June 6, 2020
Leola and Family. We send you love and light during this difficult time. You were by Charlies side and he is now at peace. -Beth Soto and all at the BOE
Anna Ruffin
June 6, 2020
Charlie was a very kind man. He loved his family and his wife. He told me that his wife Leola is a trooper. He told me that she has always been there for him without complaining. I never heard Charlie speak negative of anyone. He loved some steam crabs and could cook. His slaw tasted better than KFC. All the food he cooked will put any businesses out of business. Charlie was friendly and most of all Charlie was my favorite brother-in-law. No doubt will he be missed and never forgotten.
Margaret
June 6, 2020
Good by dear friend until we meet again
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