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Image of Mr. Charles J. Olgiati

Mr. Charles J. Olgiati

Date of passing 08/04/2023

Charles J. Olgiati, Jr., 93, passed away peacefully in his home on August 4, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. He was predeceased by his wife, Veronica, of 67 years, and his sister, Mary Cuzzupe. He is survived by his daughters, Leslie Scaramazza and her husband Rick, Arlene Kreider and her husband Ted, Susan Olgiati and her husband Rick Wright, and Kris Pozega and her husband Greg. He is also survived by his beloved grandchildren, Jennifer Scaramazza and her husband Kevin Kimble, Nicholas Scaramazza and his wife Kara, Matthew Kreider and his wife Shelly, Nathan Kreider, Ryan Pozega, Alexander Wright, Emily Wright, Stephanie Pozega and his great-granddaughter, Gabrielle Kreider.

He was a lifelong resident of Riverside, NJ. He attended St. Peter’s Elementary School and Riverside High School (RHS). He lettered in four sports in high school as he was a varsity member of the football, baseball, basketball, and track teams. While he was a versatile athlete, he loved football. He was an integral member of the champion RHS football team in the late 1940’s which was coached by the legendary Eagles player, Al Wistert and Rocky Cancellieri. He loved to reminisce about the rivalries with Palmyra and Florence high schools and of the famous road trip and game in Rocky Mount, North Carolina.

After graduation he apprenticed with his father and became a licensed plumber. He had his own plumbing business and later joined the Philadelphia Plumbers’ Union, Local 690. He remained a proud union man until his retirement. He was in the Naval Reserve serving in the Seabees (Construction Battalion).

Charles was very active in his community. Early on he coached youth football, baseball and basketball. He served on the Riverside Board of Education, was the President of the Board of Directors for the Riverside High School Sports Hall of Fame, and he was the House Chairman of Riverside Turners for many years. He was an avid fundraiser, always collecting for a 50/50 or a Beef and Beer for a worthy cause. He was instrumental in distributing college scholarships to local students and facilitated a community service program through Turners. He was a Fourth Degree Knight of the Knights of Columbus, an active member of St. Casimir’s Parish and St. Casimir’s Beneficial Club.

He was recognized as Citizen of the Year by the VFW and he was inducted into the RHS Sports Hall of Fame.

Charles, “Charlie O” never met a stranger. He enjoyed meeting new people, learning of their story and ultimately finding some type of personal connection. This was often done while sharing a Johnny Walker Black. He will be sorely missed by his family and many friends. In Charlie O’s words, “Thank you for your friendship.”

A viewing for Charlie will be held on Sunday, August 13, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM and on Monday, August 14, 2023 from 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM, all at the WEBER FUNERAL HOME, 112 Broad Street, Riverton, NJ 08077. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:00 AM on Monday, August 14, 2023 at Resurrection Parish, St. Casimir’s Church, 502 New Jersey Avenue, Riverside, NJ 08075. Interment will then follow at St. Peter’s Cemetery, Bridgeboro St., Riverside, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, Charles requested that donations be made to: Deborah Hospital, 200 Trenton Rd, Browns Mills, NJ 08015 or Riverside Turners, 300 Rancocas Ave. Riverside, NJ 08075.

Posted online on August 07, 2023

Published in Burlington County Times

Link to obituary

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