Charles Susino, Jr., affectionately known as Charlie, age 94 years, of East Amwell Township, NJ, died peacefully on Thursday, July 12, 2018 at his home, surrounded by his loving family and under the caring watch of Hunterdon Hospice.
Born in New York City, NY, September 24, 1923, son of the late Charles Susino, Sr. and Mary Denise Susino, Charlie was raised in New York City, NY and lived in Metuchen, NJ for over sixty-four years prior to moving to East Amwell Township a year ago.
Growing up in the melting pot of New York City, Charlie was a person who loved all kinds of people. He instantly gave everyone equal respect which is a major quality that has come to define his life.
In trying to write about Charlie’s life, one could write volumes as he filled his ninety-four years as he was a man of action; a doer. He was not a person who would sit on the sidelines and was always doing something to help better the lives of those around him. It is in that vein that Charlie’s life legacy has been separated into sections: that of a human being, that of a husband, that of a father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend, and that of a Prisoner of War and veteran.
Already having read some things about Charlie as a person, it is also important to note his great sense of humor. He was easy to talk to and very approachable.
He was a man who would step up to any challenge and also one who tried to anticipate needs before someone asked them to be done and never made anyone feel as though he were doing them a favor.
If someone had to confide in someone, Charlie was the man most gravitated to. He would listen and give advice only if asked, and the secret was locked away. This level of trust people had for Charlie helped make him the person who could get things done, as anyone knew if Charlie was involved things would be done the right way and also for the right reasons.
Charlie was a firm believer, through life experience, that you need to tell people how you feel about them when they are alive. His line, spoken at many funerals over the years was, “Never miss the opportunity to tell someone thank you or how you feel about them.”
Charlie was married to the love of his life, Lillian, for over seventy-one years. The two were a couple that one would think of while watching a true Disney romance film. Their love was genuine and pure; they never went to bed angry and always, always, kissed hello and goodbye. Even as Charlie was being transferred into the care of the funeral home, Lillian held his wedding band on his finger tight and kissed him.
Lillian was Charlie’s princess, and he always affectionately referred to her as, “darling” or “sweetheart”. He lived to make her happy and they never had an argument in all their time together. Simply, they both never let anything get to that point.
Lillian fondly reflected on how she never had to worry about anything as he took care of her 100% and was always there. Even in his final days, he made certain her chair was positioned so he could sit and just look into her eyes.
As a father, Charlie was equally as patient and kind. His children say with love that they won the, “Dad lottery” as far as having a father goes. Like in the other aspects of his life, he knew how to love and they always felt his love for them.
He taught them by example, and his children always knew that Dad had their back. Working in NYC as a salesman for Bloomingdale’s, Charlie left the house each morning at 5:30 a.m. and did not usually return until 7:30 p.m.; however, he still had all the energy in the world to play or just spend time with his children.
This level of energy carried over to his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was the one, no matter what, that would jump up when one of the kids asked him to do something. From playing chess to changing oil in their car, he did it all.
A hard worker, he made many personal sacrifices so that his children and family could have a good life. His level of patience was also fondly recalled by all members of the family and he proudly taught almost every child how to ride a bike, swim and drive a car. Imagine a 70+ year old running down the street, holding on the back of a bicycle seat to help keep balance with his grandchildren. That was the very proud and smiling Charlie.
He and his wife also hosted a family vacation for the past 35 summers; every year they rented a home on Long Beach Island where the entire family would spend time together, laughing and living life to its fullest.
Charlie was a United States Army Air Corps Veteran of World War II, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was also captured and held as a Prisoner of War. In the early years after the war, he never spoke much of those horrors he witnessed. However, as time went on, he felt the need to speak out for those veterans and their families who, “did not have a voice” in his opinion.
From his biography, Charlie writes, “In World War II, I served as a Staff Sergeant in the Army Air Force assigned to a B-24 Bomber as a gunner flying in the European theatre. On March 5, 1944 over France on our 13th mission, our bomber was shot down by enemy fire. With the plane on fire, the crew parachuted out into enemy territory. The bomber spiraled upside down and lost one of its wings. I suffered injuries to both legs from shrapnel and was in time captured by the Germans.
There was no medical treatment provided. The Germans held us prisoners in deplorable conditions for 14 months. We never knew what or when we were going to eat and drink again, or even if. We never knew if we would live to see another day. We were moved between several prison camps during our captivity. At one point we were force-marched for 86 days, during which time I and several of my crew escaped. We were hunted by German soldiers with dogs, but we managed to elude them. We survived on whatever we could find to eat.
We eventually ran across an US Army truck which drove us to safety and to the 48th Field Hospital in Hanover. We arrived on May 8, 1945.
In civilian life, I have been active with veterans’ organizations for several decades in various leadership roles, principally as a member of American Ex-Prisoners of War. I have served as AXPOW’S National Commander, Senior and Junior Vice Commander, Director of Legislative Affairs and have sat on the organization’s Board of Directors. I also counseled other veterans on their benefits eligibility as an accredited National Service Officer. I also served as AXPOW’s New Jersey State Commander and as National Director of Legislative Affairs.
Facing the enemy twice, once on the battlefield and then again in their prison camps — and then at their mercy — is a life experience that never leaves your mind.” ~Charles Susino, Jr.
Charlie had lots of ailments from his imprisonment that got worse over time. This experience led him to, as was previously stated, have a desire to help those whose voice was silenced by either fear or fate. He tirelessly served any veteran that needed help and could not get their just due.
Currently, he was serving as National Commander of the American Ex-Prisoners of War. He also was a national service officer for many years for New Jersey, always helping anyone in need.
For example, a civilian from Easton, PA contacted Charlie saying that his brother was in the Korean War and killed overseas and does not believe he ever received the medals he had earned. Charlie never said to him, contact someone else because you live in PA. Rather he said, let me look into it and told the man, post mortem, will receive the medals he earned, no more, no less.
Months later Charlie and his family members drove to PA and presented the medals to him, making sure the community knew that this veteran was being properly honored and wanting zero credit for any assistance they provided.
In November of 1990, 45 years after he served, Charlie finally received from the government several military medals that he had earned during the war. Among his many honors were the Purple Heart, the French Medal of Honor-Cavalier Level, Airman Medal Cluster and POW medal.
Charlie also tirelessly located public high visibility sites throughout New Jersey to locate where an American ExPOW monument should be placed and helped raise the funds to have it erected.
Having met Presidents, Governors and many high ranking public officials, Charlie was well-respected by those on both sides of the aisle. Addressing Congress many times, his message always stressed the fact that veterans do not receive entitlements, rather they have earned them!
At one session of the Congress Veterans Affairs subcommittee, a comment was made about not applying COLA (cost of living adjustment) to the disability benefit checks and Charles’s comments were loud and clear, “that would be unconscionable!” The viewing audience all starting clapping. Very rarely is there ever a noise made by the audience in a hearing that is not gaveled down.
To sum up Charlie’s life is difficult, but looking to The Beatitudes found in the book of Matthew is probably the best way: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5: 3-10
Though Charlie is going from this Earthly life, his legacy of love and caring for all will be as memorable as all the monuments he helped build over the years. The world is not darker because he is gone from it, rather the world is a better place for him having passed through it.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Robert Susino, Sr. and his wife, Marian; a daughter-in-law, Celeste W. Susino; a sister-in-law, Mary Susino; his brother-in-law, Bill Bodnar and his wife, MaryEllen; a nephew, Robert Susino, Jr.; and two nieces, Maryann and Donna Susino.
Surviving are his cherished wife of seventy-one years, Lillian Bodnar Susino with whom he joined hands in marriage on April 6, 1947 in New York City, NY; his children, Diane and her husband, Ted Harrington III and Charles Anthony and his wife, Debra Susino; a brother, Edward Susino; his grandchildren, Ted Harrington IV, Scott and his wife, Kerry Harrington, Nicholas and his wife, Maegan Harrington, Jeffrey Harrington, Jeanette and her husband, Richard DeNunzio and Dana and her fiancé, Steve Kiess; his great grandchildren, Derek, Hannah, Eva, T.J., Max, Sofia, Violet, Dominic and Leo; several extended family members; and many dear friends.
Graveside services and burial with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery will be announced at a later date under the care and direction of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ.
Charlie will lie in repose at the funeral home on Wednesday, July 18, 2018 from 2:00-5:30 p.m. where family and friends are invited to celebrate this most kind-hearted soul.
Services for United States Army Staff Sgt. Charles Susino, Jr., National Commander of the Ex-Prisoners of War, will take place on Monday, October 22, 2018 at 10:45 a.m. at Post Chapel at Arlington National Cemetery. Anyone attending is asked to arrive by 9:45 a.m.; please make certain you have identification as you will be entering an active military base. May we never forget the sacrifices of these women and men…
Please visit Charlie’s permanent memorial site at www.wrightfamily.com where one can light a candle and leave a message of condolence and words of comfort, as well as share stories and photographs of his life.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the American Ex-Prisoners of War, of which Charlie was currently serving as National Commander. Donations may be mailed to: American Ex-Prisoners of War, National Headquarters, P.O. Box 3444, Arlington, TX 76007-3444.
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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned and operated “Life Celebration Home”