Charles Mealey

CHARLES F. MEALEY, SR. "CHICK" Age 77, of North Hutchison Island, FL and Elizabethtown, PA, formerly of Wilmington, DE passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 25, 2015 surrounded by his loving family. Born in Wilmington, DE Chick was the son of the late John J. and Ann (Romanek) Mealey and was a 1955 graduate of Salesianum School. Since he was old enough to cut grass and wash cars, he worked at the family business, Michael A. Mealey & Sons, Inc., now Mealey Funeral Homes & Crematory. He graduated from the American Academy of Mortuary Science and began a career as a licensed funeral director for 40 years until his retirement in 1997. Chick was one of the first Eucharistic Ministers at St. John the Beloved Church in Wilmington and a member of Holy Cross Church in Vero Beach, FL. His memberships included the National Funeral Directors Association, the Delaware Funeral Directors Association, where he served as president for a term, and the Serra Club, a vocational group for seminarians, which met at his home for many summertime picnics. He was a lifetime supporter of the Little Sisters of the Poor and he shared with his son the honor of "Man of the Year" in 2010. While on the homeowner's board at Tiara Condominiums, the two horrible hurricanes hit in 2004. For six grueling years of negotiation with insurance companies and municipal councils, the buildings were finally restored to their former beauty. It was through this ordeal that he developed some of his closest friendships. An avid golfer, a sport he discovered after retirement, Chick was a former member of Cavaliers Country Club in Delaware and played often at Fairwinds and Panther Woods Clubs in Florida. He enjoyed hitting a couple of rounds or whacking some buckets of balls with his son and grandsons. It stuck with a couple of grandkids who are now spending weekends and early evenings on a golf course. An outdoorsman since childhood, Chick enjoyed hunting, fishing and boating. His biggest thrill was teaching his grandchildren how to water ski and fish and instilling a love of boating in all of them. He will be fondly remembered for his quirky sayings and gestures which his grandchildren enjoyed imitating at every turn. He was happiest when surrounded by his large and loving family. In addition to his parents, Chick was predeceased by his brother, Michael A. Mealey, II and his nephew, Michael A. Mealey, III. Chick will be dearly missed by his wife of 56 years, Mildred "Mil" Bradley Mealey; his son and daughter-in-law, Chick Jr. and Lucy Mealey; his daughters and sons-in-law, Lori Mealey and Todd Glandon, Kathleen and Harry Garrett, and Dr. Jane and Rob Cavender; and his beloved grandchildren, Rachel, Amelia and Patrick Mealey, Henry and Sam Glandon, Zach, Isaac, Hannah and Corporal Harry Garrett, USMC; and Josh, Matt, Danny, Jake and Christopher Cavender, Also surviving are his siblings and their spouses, Ret. Col. Jack Jr. and Joan Mealey, Joe and Pat Mealey, Sue and John DeMusz, Patti and Bill Edwards and Robert and Josie Mealey; his sister- in-law, Eleanor Mealey; and a host of nieces and nephews. Friends and family are invited to visitation on Tuesday, March 3rd between 5 and 8 PM at Mealey Funeral Home, 2509 Limestone Road, Wilmington. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday morning at 10:30 AM at St. John the Beloved Church, 907 Milltown Road, Wilmington. Interment will follow at All Saints Cemetery, Wilmington. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Little Sisters of the Poor, 185 Salem Church Road, Newark, DE 19713 or to Hospice of Central Pennsylvania, 1320 Lingletown Road, Harrisburg, PA 17110. MealeyFuneralHomes,com (800) 608-3533