Charles Kosek

Charles Kosek, affectionately known to all as "Uncle Charlie," passed away peacefully on Oct. 12, 2025, at the age of 89.

Born in Wilkes-Barre on Feb. 17, 1936, Charlie grew up in the city's infamous Heights section. He graduated from GAR High School in 1954.

A proud veteran, Charlie served in the United States Navy from 1955 to 1959 aboard the battleship USS Wisconsin. He remained lifelong friends with many of his shipmates and often attended reunions on the ship in Norfolk, Va.

After his service, he moved to New York City, where he built a long and distinguished career with Flushing National Bank, working there for over 30 years. Known for his impeccable hospitality and love of good company, Charlie hosted legendary dinner parties that friends and family still reminisce about. Many thought Charlie was Italian because he was always in the kitchen cooking his famous pasta dishes and loved to make a hearty pot of chili.

He had a special knack for interior decorating, making each place he lived cozy and warm, covering his walls with artwork (some of his favorite pieces were Delson's pictures) and his collection of antiques. Friends and acquaintances often asked for his help decorating their own homes. He always welcomed visitors to his apartment in Queens, N.Y., and introduced his family to summer weekends in the Hamptons.

Following his years in New York, he also lived in Phoenix, Ariz.; Miami, Fla.; and Arlington, Va., where he continued his career with Navy Federal Credit Union before eventually retiring to the Fort Myers/Sarasota, Fla. area. Wherever he lived, he quickly became the unofficial "mayor" of his building or community — meeting, greeting and checking in on his neighbors. Everyone knew Charlie, and he would literally take the shirt off his back to help anyone in need.

He was predeceased by his parents, Anna Tigue Kosek and John Kosek; his brothers, Francis, Donald and Robert; his sister, Anne; and his half-brothers, John Kosek and Fred Gray.

Charlie is survived by many beloved nieces and nephews, all of whom he loved dearly. Whenever he came to visit, he never arrived empty-handed — there was always a sweet treat tucked under his arm, a simple gesture that showed how much he cared. Every Christmas, he would hand-deliver poinsettia plants, big bags of pistachios and boxes of candy to relatives and friends, often recruiting his nieces and nephews to help.

Charlie was an animal lover who took his pets everywhere with him. Family and friends will fondly remember his dear dogs Sydney, Martha and Max, and his cat Lady Di — they were all such a big part of his life.

Uncle Charlie will be remembered for his extraordinary gift of connection — he could meet a stranger on an airplane and somehow trace them back to Wilkes-Barre. His storytelling, laughter and uncanny ability to bring people together will be missed by all who knew him.

More than anything, Charlie will be remembered for the way he made everyone feel like family and for keeping alive the stories and spirit of those who came before us.

Charlie was a devoted member of St. Nicholas Church in Wilkes-Barre, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025. Interment will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery.