Charles C. Greene, Jr.

Charles Carroll Greene, Jr. was born on August 31, 1935, in Brooklyn, NY to Marie and Charles Greene Sr. He was one of four children and is preceded by his wife of almost 65 years, Kathleen Greene, sister, Frances McManus, and brother Leo Greene, and is survived by his sister Mary St John.

Charles, or Charlie, as he was known to close friends, grew up in the neighborhoods of Queens and Bay Ridge, in NY. One day, when Charlie was attending St Mary’s Catholic High School, he looked across the schoolyard and “saw this beautiful, cute little lady, and I walked right into the fence. She was strikingly beautiful.” That lady was Kathleen McQuillan, of Queen’s Village, who became his bride 3 years later, on October 27,1956.

 Charlie and Kathy’s honeymoon lasted almost 65 years, and their marriage was one of fairy tales. Even in later years when Kathy suffered from the effects of Alzheimer’s, Charlie lovingly and steadfastly stayed by her side every day, and his enduring love and care for her never wavered. Kathy left this world on October 25, 2021.

 Charlie served in the Army for two years and was stationed in Alaska for most of his enlistment. He married Kathy at the tail end of his service, and they honeymooned in Canada. Shortly after they married, the couple settled in Northport, NY, and quickly started a family. And what a family they created! Charlie is survived by his six children: Charles Patrick of Redondo Beach, CA, Patricia Marie of Montauk, NY, Kevin Francis of Bainbridge Island, WA, Kathleen Mary of Effingham, NH, Theresa Ann, of Stuart, Fl, and Eileen Elizabeth, of Stuart, Fl, and nine grandchildren: Michael, Dede, Audrey, Richard, Benjamin, Ella, Heidi, Phoebe, and Riley, and five great-grandchildren: Charlie, Zoey, Leo, Mila, and Vienna. To this day, Charlie is affectionately called by his grandchildren by the names of Crappa, Bumpa, Bump, and a few more.

 Charlie loved working with his hands and could fix anything. This came in handy as he often had to work two or three jobs to support his growing family and take care of all home and vehicle maintenance. While attending the Academy of Aeronautics where he earned his Airframe and Powerplant license, his first child was born. Upon graduating, he started his aviation career as a Machinist at Grumman Aircraft Corporation on Eastern Long Island. After a year he became an aircraft mechanic for a major airline at Kennedy airport, NY. 

 As his family grew, he continued to pursue his love of flying, earning his private pilot and instructor license. He would often trade fixing people’s airplanes for flight time in their aircraft. When a mechanic friend of his told him of a “startup” cargo airline that was looking for pilots to train internally, he jumped at the chance and his professional flying career began with Seaboard World Airlines. During the 60’s and 70’s, Charlie endured numerous layoffs as the airline industry wavered, but Charlie's resolve never did. He started a roofing company, worked as a welder, home builder, heating repair man, aircraft and auto mechanic. Extremely resilient and talented, Charlie never stopped providing for his growing family. What began with Seaboard World Airlines, then Flying Tigers and FedEx airlines, his rich flying career brought him all around the world, delivering freight, transporting troops and delivering supplies to our military in two major war zones. From humble beginnings, Charlie reached the pinnacle of commercial flying-Captain of the revered Boeing 747... the “Queen of the Skies.”

  Charlie did all this while raising a wild group of active and loud children, in a tiny house that held more love, laughter, and adventure that might have tested anyone’s sanity. With Kathy by his side, they created and nurtured a household of faith, fun, laughter, and adventure. Their house was loud, chaotic, and full of joy. The Greene’s were active members of St Philip Neri Church and School in Northport, and it was there they met other families that became lifelong friends. In 1985, the couple moved to Montauk, NY, where Charlie built their dream home, literally with his bare hands and the help his best friend, John Selee. Always the entertainers, the Greene house became the “fort” where countless parties and celebrations were held for many years. It was during this time that Charlie and Kathy took on their new roles as Grandma and Grandpa. They were born for this role.

Charlie and Kathy loved adventure and travel. They enjoyed romantic international trips and traveled all around the US several times by car, plane, and even one time in an RV. They spent every day holding hands, embracing, dancing and saying how much they loved each other. Their Faith in God and love for each other has inspired people in ways they would never know.

 Soon after Charlie retired from the airlines, in 1998, the couple moved to West Ossipee, NH and lived in an aviation community, where Charlie kept his vintage Piper Cub. He spent many hours enjoying the peaceful skies of New Hampshire and even rebuilt his airplane (for the second time) in his own hangar. He enjoyed taking friends and family flying as often as they wanted.

 Ultimately, the couple started vacationing in Stuart, Fl as snowbirds and then made the permanent move in 2016, coinciding with Kathy’s increasing Alzheimer’s progression. Wherever they lived, they were active members of their local Catholic Church, either as ushers, Extraordinary Ministers, helping at bazaars, bingo, and all social events. Faith was central to their everyday lives, and they attended Mass daily.

 Charlie found a family in the Parish of St Andrew’s in Stuart, Fl. The Priests, the men’s groups, the ushers, and the meaningful friendships he forged with people of the congregation gave him much strength and comfort during and after Kathy’s cruel illness. He always spoke highly about the incredible people of the parish and he truly felt they were his family.

Charlie’s presence on this earth will be remembered for his unending love for Jesus, Mary, Joseph, his Church and his family. He had a strength within him that was commanding yet always supportive. You couldn’t match his sense of humor. He loved to make people laugh. He taught his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren what it meant to be silly no matter what. He opened the world to us with his stories and brought gifts home to his family from every corner of the world. He always saved hotel soaps, and the kids all delighted when he’d return with bags full of them.

 He adored British humor and would howl laughing while watching Benny Hill, Monty Python,

and Faulty Towers. He had a talent for writing eloquent letters to his family and had a humble heart that was astonishing. He quietly gave to more charities than anyone could believe and always looked out for the underdog. To his family, he was a hero and a Saint. He was our rock, and he will be greatly missed.