Name: Visitation for Charles P. Taaffe
Start: 2019-11-06T21:00:00.000Z
End: 2019-11-07T01:00:00.000Z
Location: Baldwin-Fairchild Goldenrod/Winter Park Funeral Home

Taaffe, Charles P. OVIEDO, Fla. Charles P. Taaffe succumbed to a short battle with cancer on Tuesday, October 29, 2019, at Orlando Regional Medical Center in Orlando, Fla. Charlie was born in Albany to parents Charles A. Taaffe and Catherine (Sillery) Taaffe. Early on in his life, Charlie discovered his passion for the game of football, successfully quarterbacking teams at Cardinal McCloskey High School and then at Clemson University and Siena College where his playing career ended. Prior to continuing his professional life, pride in his country and the emerging Vietnam War prompted Charlie to enroll voluntarily in Officer Candidate School for the United States Marine Corps, although he never served. It was his passion for the game that led to a lifelong pursuit in the game of football through coaching, where he enjoyed an extremely successful 42-year career spanning the east coast of the United States and Canada. His career afforded him and his family the opportunity to experience the world, but more importantly allowed Charlie to make a difference in the development of the lives of thousands of players, colleagues and friends. He is survived by his loving wife Jan; their son Brian; sister Mary; brothers, Bobby and Paul; nieces, nephews and other family members. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 6, from 4-8 p.m. at Baldwin-Fairchild (Goldenrod) in Winter Park, Fla. Funeral services will be held in St. James Catholic Cathedral, Downtown Orlando Thursday, November 7, at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you please consider a donation to the Charlie and Jan Taaffe Football Scholarship at The Citadel. This scholarship will be awarded to a walk-on football player who best exemplifies the qualities Charlie stood for as a coach, and those he will be remembered by in death.

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Published by Albany Times Union on Nov. 3, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for Charles Taaffe

18 Entries

Joe Gioco

November 24, 2019

I am so sorry to hear the very sad news of Charlie's death. Even though it is about 60 years ago that we would all gather behind School 23 on any given Sat morning, or Thanksgiving day and really go at it on our makeshift grid iron. I remember vividly that Charlie had the best equipment of the bunch and could really toss the ball. I have been following his football career ever since, thought about him this morning while checking out the weekend football scores. Looked to see what he see what he is up to; my sincere condolences to his entire family. I have such fond vivid memories of the little brick house on Edgecomb St and his giant of dad. Rest in peace, my old friend.

Steve Heim

November 10, 2019

To the Taaffe family-
I am so sorry for your loss.
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this sad time.
I have some special memories of my time with Charlie. While I was a student at Georgia Tech, Charlie was determined to learn the wishbone offense from Head Coach Pepper Rodgers. Charlie's perseverance paid off, and he successfully negotiated an assistant coaching position with Coach Rodgers at Georgia Tech. Charlie "sort of" lived at the fraternity house with me, and I use the term "sort of" because he was gone most of the time, working long hours diligently coaching and recruiting. It was evident that Charlie's hard work and passion would lead to great success.
A few years later, Charlie arranged for 50 yard line seats for Paul and me at University of Virginia football games, where he was coaching. He also invited us to the post game coach's party, where more football talk ensued.
Charlie was a great guy. He will be missed by everyone whose lives he touched.
My sincerest condolences to all of his family and friends.

Jodi (Novak) Daniels

November 7, 2019

Jan,
I was so sorry to hear about Charlie. The only good thing about cancer is that you have a chance to say goodbye. I hope you had that time to remember all the good memories. My thoughts and prayers are with you, Brian and family.
Jodi

Patti (Gregory) Gadani

November 7, 2019

Dear Taaffe family,
Remembering Chuckie from our childhood days, as the big brother of the neighborhood who oversaw us all. Wonderful guy. With our sympathy & prayers to all for your loss.

Gene and Wilma Styles

November 7, 2019

So very sorry to hear about Charlie's death. Only fond memories of our Citadel years as neighbors. Thinking of Jan and Brian at this time.

Patrick Boivin

November 6, 2019

Mr. Taffe was the head coach of the Montreal Alouettes in 1999 and in 2000. During his tenure with our team, he was named Coach of the year of the Canadian Football twice. On behalf of the entire Montreal Alouettes organisation, I offer my deepest sympathies to his family and friends. Charlie will forever be part of the Alouettes family.

Jack Weaver

November 6, 2019

Mary,Bobby and Paul,
Sorry to hear about Charlie.My prayers and support during this difficult time.
He was a 3 sport athlete at Cardinal McCloskey HS ,football basketball & baseball.He loved football the most and developed into an outstanding QB.I was the head football,basketball & baseball coach during his 4 yrs at McCloskey,exceptfor his sr yr,I became the AD and and gave up FB.My brother Bob coached FB that yr.
Charlie joined his classmate & teammate from McCloskey Joe Grasso[HB]at Siena where they both set passing & rushing records,respectivefully, during their careers.They both were inducted into the Siena Athletic Hall of Fame.
Charlie was a great athlete and a great person.A hard worker with a great personality who developed into a QB guru and college & professional coach over the past 42 years.It was always a pleasure to see Charlie when he would visit his family in Albany.He will be sorely missed,especially by yours truly.Rest in peace my friend.Sleep well

Dee Hartigan

November 6, 2019

Bobby and family,
So sorry to hear of your brother's passing.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Dee and Chris Hartigan

November 4, 2019

I remember Charlie back in 1965 as one of the older kids that played Whitehall Babe Ruth in back of school 23 on Whitehall Road in Albany. I think he was the 1st pitcher I faced my 1st year in the league. He was quite the athlete and threw the ball hard. Also, knew him at Cardinal McCloskey High. I always found him to be a real nice guy. My heart goes out to the entire Taaffe family. Very sincerely, Bob Sbuttoni

Melanie McCulley

November 4, 2019

Mary and Family,
I'm so very sorry for your loss and am holding you in my thoughts.
With deepest sympathy,

John Wolfgang

November 4, 2019

Our deepest sympathies to the entire Taaffe family from the Wolfgang family. Charlie was always the big brother role model that we looked up to while growing up.

Sandy Brousseau

November 4, 2019

Charlie's family,
Sorry to read about Charlie's passing. I was a football official who ran into him at both McCloskey and Siena College. He was a super nice guy who will be missed by many. I will keep him in my prayers and may he rest in peace.

Sandy Brousseau Englewood, Co.

Kristine Burns

November 3, 2019

Condolences to the Taaffe family in the passing of your brother Chuckie.
Kris & Tom Burns

jack decrosta

November 3, 2019

1967 my brother tom and i were members of bishop gibbons football team.we were on the verge of winning the old diocesan league title outright. 1st in school history. all we had to do is beat a very average cardinal mccloskey team on a cold friday night at bleeker stadium. we got upset and settled for a tie for league title with catholic central. very disappointing. mccloskey quarterback ? chuck taffe, and i never saw him again. RIP

Tony Treffiletti

November 3, 2019

Boy could Charlie throw the ball, Cardinal McCloskey had one he'll of a team, just so much neighborhood talent, most of which hung out at the Cue Stick @ Delaware and Cathren St. a nice place Joe/Mrs. G " Milly, next store to Earl Costell's house, ARMONDO'S after the dance, he made us all proud more neighborhood talent, basket ball. Earl-Schyler High.Charlie was a class guy always neatly dressed and exuded character in his demenier, a guy you felt comfortable to respect a leader but subdued and humble. Very sorry for the family's loss. A guy I grew with who made a lasting impression on me. An old friend Tony Treffiletti. God bless!

joe schaller

November 3, 2019

when we were kids I caLLED HIM cHUCK.I still think of him every time I walk down Kenosha street.

Din Cahill

November 1, 2019

We are so sorry to hear of Charlie's passing. We knew him from his days at Siena and he was a first class guy. We followed his career from a far and we were always very proud to tell people that we knew Charlie! Din and Carol Cahill

scott lustig

November 1, 2019

I am saddened by the news of Charlie's passing.
Charlie and Jan were both mentors to me when I was a young coach breaking into the profession at West Point. They always treated me as if I was a member of their family.
Though I lost touch with them over the years, Charlie and Jan will always have a special place in my heart.
May Charlie rest in peace.

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