Charles William Girgan of Kearny, N.J. and Palm Coast, FLa., 89 passed away on Thursday, January 16, 2014.
A Memorial Service in Celebration of his Life will be held on Thursday, January 23, 2014 at 4:00PM at The First Presbyterian Church of Arlington, 663 Kearny Ave, Kearny. Arrangements are by the Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home, Kearny.
Charlie, as he was known to his many friends, may be remembered for his successes in business and on the athletic field. Those who knew him best however, will cherish most of all, his spirit of humility, honesty, kindness and generosity.
A resident of Kearny for 65 years of his 89 years, Charlie was born and raised on Johnson Avenue, a street affectionately remembered as "Cooper's Block." He graduated from Kearny High School in 1942 as a member of both the football and baseball teams. He then enlisted in the United States Navy, where he served as Quartermaster First Class on the U.S.S. Huse Destroyer Escort (DE) 145 during World War II. For service to their country, Charlie and his shipmates received four Bronze Stars as well as the Victory Medal.
Always a sportsman, Charlie obtained his Bachelor of Business Degree from the former Upsala College, East Orange, N.J. Class of 1949, where he was Captain of the football team. It was there where he met the great love of his life, Evelyn Kemp and asked her to marry him. Married on April 1, 1951, they went on to share a marriage of 62 years, which will forever be an inspiration to all who knew them.
Always with Evelyn by his side, Charlie continued his football career as a kicker for the Jersey City Giants of the American Professional Football League. Later as a Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), he went on to build a respected career in the insurance industry as Partner of Mintz and Girgan (currently Mintz, Girgan and Brightly), a position he held for over 50 years.
His love of sport flourished in his passion for golf, which he played alongside life-long friends at Forest Hills Field Club (FHFC) in Bloomfield, N.J., where he served as vice president for many years.
He is survived by his cherished wife Evelyn; devoted daughters Jeanne Naughton and her husband Michael and Jan Girgan and her husband Carl Picillo as well as two adoring grandsons, Michael Charles and William Ellis Naughton. He is also survived by several nephews. He was predeceased by his brother Jon Girgan.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Barnabas Health and Hospice and Palliative Care Center, 95 Short Hills Road, West Orange, N.J. 07052 or charity of choice would be appreciated.