Charles Ohayon

In his youth, Charles was fearless in his pursuit of knowledge and achievement, traits he would carry with him all his life. He excelled as a young student. He earned a degree in Tool and Dye Making from the Technical College in Kenitra, Morocco, where he graduated in 1961. He went on to earn a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from L’Ecole Universelle, (Paris, France), in 1963. He was a mechanical engineer by trade, and he worked for many years at Reynolds, Smith and Hills. He would later apply all his skills and knowledge in his silversmithing business, Silvercrafters.

Charles’ interests, pursuits and achievements are too numerous to recite in less than a novel, but the highlights alone are stunning. At one point in his youth, he played professional soccer for Valencia, Spain. He was offered a scholarship to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, which he declined. He became a licensed real estate broker and investor in Jacksonville, Florida.

Charles loved God, was devoted to the study of the scriptures, and embodied the teachings of Torah in his daily life. Charles pursued rabbinical studies in Morocco as part of his certification as a shochet (a person certified to slaughter animals as prescribed by Jewish law) and was learned in the Hebrew scriptures. He studied under renowned rabbis in Morocco, such as Rabbi David Bouzaglo, who taught him cantorial music. He could read all of the Biblical languages, including Hebrew, Aramaic, and Egyptian Aramaic. Charles became a member of Etz Chaim Synagogue in 1968 and has been a member ever since. In Jacksonville, along with a fellow member of the synagogue, Murray Husney, he conducted services at the old Etz Chaim Synagogue on University Boulevard for the congregants, many of whom were holocaust survivors, and for fourteen years would recite the mourner’s Kaddish for their deceased family members. His service included reading the Torah for the congregants and singing tehillim (Psalms) with his beautiful voice.

Together, Charles and his wife, Jenny, were members of Mandarin Presbyterian Church where he was welcomed and beloved, especially by the Seekers Sunday School Class.

Charles was a man of so many interests and talents. At the age of 10, he taught himself to play the oud (the lute), and as a young man in Morocco he would later play with the famous Algerian singer, Salim Halali, and his band at his cabaret in Casablanca. Charles loved to perform at weddings, bar mitzvahs, other simchas (celebrations) and, most importantly, he loved to play and sing for his family and friends.

He spoke and sang in several different languages including French, Arabic, Spanish, Hebrew and English.

Of all his pursuits, Charles Ohayon was a jack of none, but a master of all he attempted. Among his qualities were his honesty, his sense of fairness, his humility, his determination, his warmth, his clarity and conviction of purpose, and his joie de vivre.To Charles, there was nothing more important than his family. He loved us all and wanted only the best for all of us. We all loved him for his loving kindness, his generosity of spirit, and his enthusiasm for life in everything he did. We all looked to him for his wisdom, his even temper, his passionate opinions, and his Solomonian sense of fairness. He is, and will forever be, profoundly missed by all of us; and the world is a less brilliant, less loving, less interesting, and less spiritual place with the loss of this tzadik (righteous man).

Jenny, his loving wife, has lost the love of her life. Ilana and Henry have lost their wise and gentle father. Rachel has lost her dear brother and lifelong friend. Chana and Bene have lost the kindest, funniest, most generous, and most adoring grandfather any kid could ever wish for. Jeffrey and Michael have lost the most patient and nurturing uncle imaginable. In return, our beloved Charles has gained eternal peace and health, and Hashem has received a righteous soul. He will be missed by all who knew him and by many more who did not but were touched by his kindness and generosity.

Charles dearly loved his mother, Tamar Amar, who passed away in 2019 at the age of 97. He lies near her at Arlington Park Cemetary.

A graveside service for Charles took place on Friday, September 3, 2021 at The Etz Chaim Section of Arlington Memorial Park Cemetery, 6920 Lone Stat Road, Jacksonville, FL 32211.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hgmandarin.com for the Ohayon family.