Charles Leonard Chickey

Charles Leonard Chickey passed away on the morning of December 30, 2025, at the age of 96. Charles (known as “Charlie”) was born in Old Forge, Pennsylvania on October 16, 1929, the son of the late Joseph and Caroline (“Cichon”) Chickey.  At 18 years old, Charlie ventured from Pennsylvania to New Jersey and began working for Burry Biscuit, Elizabeth, NJ (an iconic cookie manufacturing bakery) in various management positions where he eventually met his wife, Mary.  Charlie also served as the plant manager at the Sunshine Biscuits manufacturing plant in Sayreville, NJ.

Charlie and Mary built a life together and were married for 66 years until Mary’s passing in 2019.  They settled in Colonia, NJ in 1960 and remained life-long Colonia residents raising five children: Robert Chickey, Marilyn Chickey, Carolyn Yocco, Charles Chickey, and Rosemary Chickey.  Surviving are his loving daughters Marilyn, Carolyn, and Rosemary, and grandson Christopher Yocco.  He was predeceased by his aunt and uncle who raised him, Agnes, and John (“Cichon”) Chickey, and 8 siblings.

Charlie had a strong and unshakeable work ethic and rarely missed a day of work.  He persevered in everything he did.  No task was too large, too small, or too complicated for him to tackle.  Besides providing for his family with his wife Mary, he maintained his private residence as well as a rental property which was a source of pride.  Charlie could be seen tinkering outside of his house pruning bushes, painting, or embarking on a self-initiated project.  Age did not define him; Charlie continually pushed himself and was described by others as fearless.

Charlie will be remembered for his kind and innocent nature, calm demeanor, sense of humor, and enjoyment of the simple things in life.  Despite life’s early challenges, Charlie always remained optimistic and never had a bad word to say about anyone.  During his later years, Charlie looked forward to playing his daily NJ pick 3 lottery numbers, kept tabs on the ground hog that lived beneath his shed, and kept up on world and political events by watching News Nation.  He was truly one of a kind and will be dearly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

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