I do not know where to start, there is just so much of a life that was lived in such a short time. From the day he arrived on time (thank god I could not take another elbow in the ribs), to the time he was ALWAYS late. Seriously how do you miss the school bus when all you must do is roll out of bed, it picked him up at his door. Then having to be 10min early for EVERYTHING, do not be 9min he would have a fit.

He had a funny lil laugh as a baby, that grew into a silly one as a toddler, then full on goofy as an adult. His laugh made everyone laugh because it was so infectious. No matter what it took, if you needed a laugh, he supplied it.

Charlie always had his own way of thinking. Like when he was little and we were in NJ his name was Chalie and would not answer to Charlie and when we were in PA, he was Charlie do not get it wrong or he would not answer you. Or when his Mom-Mom gave him new underwear, he put it on his head because “no one will see my new batman underwares if it’s on my butt”. The time when his Great grandfather and name sake, was telling him all the things he did not have as a kid his age, after hearing that there was no TV, A\C, refrigerators, indoor bathrooms, the list went on. When he was done Charlie asked if he had sneakers, Poppie said “no”, then with the look of utmost concern he asked him how he ran from the dinosaurs.

As a young boy he would always watch fishing shows and go fishing with his father. When I remarried, Jeff taught him further how to fish and how to hunt. The woods were their peaceful place where their worlds were one. The built a hunting blind up on the mountain, and that was his favorite place in the whole world. So much so that he had it tattooed on his arm. There were so many good times for Jeff and Charlie in that blind, so many lessons between Jeff and his Uncle Greg teaching him. Spring and summer were fishing time. No matter where he was, he always had a line in the water. Even if it was 4th period English. His senior year he became the bane of Mr. McHale the attendance director’s existence.  Sharks, flounder, bass, trout and even a turtle ended up on his line. He also shared in my husband’s passion for firearms. It started an 8yrs old with his first hunting rifle for Christmas. They both new guns inside and out. Rules and safety were extremely important to him.

Then he went to high school at Cape May Tech and found a passion of his own, Welding. I came home from work one morning to find him in a shirt and tie, his “good” jeans and shoes on. Not being usual attire, I asked where he was going, and he told me that today was his interview with the welding instructor Mr. Jackson, and he wanted to make a good impression because he wanted a spot in his class. He knew what he wanted to do, he wanted to be a welder. Much to his delight he goes a spot in the welding class. Mr. Jackson ended up with a shop rat. He could be found there at any time, 4th period English, (Much to Mr. McHale’s dismay), lunch, and gym. Not only was Mr. Jackson a teacher, but he also became his mentor, and later a true friend and now family. He would listen to life lessons that we could not get through. They say it takes a village, in Charlies case it took an incredibly determined Mamma, a stepdad, a welding teacher and a Marine. And boy did days we struggled.

After high school he went to further his welding career at Hobart School of Welding. For the first time for both of us he was 10hrs away in Ohio, for 9mos, that was the furthest and longest time he ever was away. Being parents Jeff and I worried a lot until we went to see him and showed us that what we taught him he learned. Hobart was a blast for him. He made lifelong friend in Dylan, Tayler, and so many more. He even had pseudo grandparents in Carol and Jack.

When he graduated Hobart he landed he thought his dream job at GE in the aeronautics department welding parts for jet engines. After a few months he realized that although GE was great, he wanted to be outside welding pipe. And that’s when the owner of O&M construction took a chance on him. That was Charlie’s dream job. He was going to different places, welding, learning from “the best” in Mark, Jason, Stewart, Dawn, and Ron. Not only were they his coworkers they were lifelong friends.

I knew what he meant to us his family. He was my truest love, greatest joy and now deepest sorrow. He was my husband’s Jeff best friend, and his father’s Yep buddy. His Mom-Moms lil man, and his Pop-Pop’s tree helper. According to him he was his Mom-mom and Pop-Pops favorite grandchild which started a loving war between his cousins. Evan is first cousin and first and always best friend, to Sarah her sports man they would play for ever with a ball. To Chole who was his biggest fan, she was he cheer leader. He was Aunt G to my little sister, (he could not say Gerri), and was Pee head to his Aunt Kim. He was Chargie to Annie, and Uncle Bones to his nephew Anthony and his older Brother. To his Aunt Lisa and Uncle Charlie he was the one who was a Thanksgiving and Easter dinner guest. And there was no place he wanted to be then his uncle Greg and Aunt Mooshy’s slinging lead. And “Stupid Charles” to Laura.

He was always one to give a helping hand. To a friend working on his truck, or a stranger on the side of the road needing help changing a tire. Helping ‘lil ladies to their car and putting in groceries or helping carring something heavy. If you had a name tag on, he said thank you to the person by name.

It was not until he passed that I realized he meant so much more to so many. I cannot tell you all the phone calls, text, and cards telling me how great his was and how they had fun, how he helped them. The outpouring of grief they had for him was overwhelming.

I could go on forever with stories. It is because his love for welding, and his caring and helpful spirt I along with his Aunt G, Aunt Kim, and Mom-Mom created the Charles A. Denk Memorial Scholarship. So that he can still lend a helping hand to someone, and further their welding passion.

I cannot thank you enough for the kind words, expressions of love, and your donations.

Bright blessings to you all.

ShellyAnn

 AKA Charlie’s Mammas

“I like you always, I love you Forever as long as I’m alive my baby boy you shall be.”

                                                                  -Robert Munsch