Charles Indek

Charles Indek was the devoted husband of Evelyn Indek (Krueger), and beloved father of Ben and Daniel, father-in-law of Robyn Mewshaw and Elisa Indek, and grandfather of Lizzy, Mitch and Josh. He is also survived by his mother-in-law Leah Krueger, several nieces, nephews and cousins, and many friends.

Born and raised in Staten Island, Charlie attended New Dorp High School where he starred on the basketball court and baseball field, including earning city-wide recognition for his hoops skills. At National Agricultural College (now Delaware Valley University) in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, Charlie captained the basketball team and was an outstanding baseball player. On the court, his yearbook marveled at his “speed and accuracy” and called him a “fast thinking shooting star.” At NAC, he earned his degree in ornamental horticulture. After college, Charlie served two years in the U.S. Army, stationed in Germany. A member of his unit’s baseball team, he spent his time in the Army traveling throughout Western Europe playing infield on that squad.

He met Evie as counselors at Camp Chickopee and they quickly fell in love. Charlie and Evie were married for 64 years and made their home in Teaneck, New Jersey. He doted on Evie and the pair were inseparable. They took long road trips to New England, traveled the National Parks, and hosted many family events on Downing Street. The pair spent a lot of time in recent years at the Teaneck Senior Center; Charlie worked out at the Center three times a week for more than 20 years with the same group of guys. He made friends everywhere he and Evie went due to his ability to talk to anyone in any place at any time.

Charlie had a varied career, including creating his own lawn care company, working at his family’s store in Staten Island and at Saks Fifth Avenue. He worked for decades in the textile industry at companies like Brampton Textiles, overseeing importing fabrics from around the world.

He took special pride in his sons, their wives and his grandchildren. Charlie counseled Ben and Daniel during their careers in the law and fabric design and took interest in everything about his daughters-in-law Robyn and Elisa. Charlie marveled as Lizzy moved to London to earn her graduate degree and returned to Manhattan to start her museum and publishing career. He was in awe of Mitch’s incredible scientific mind and his pursuit of a PhD at the University of Michigan. Charlie closely followed Josh’s youth baseball games and saw him turn into the starting second baseman at the University of Brockport.

Charlie and Evie had many happy places, including Ogunquit, Maine and Mohonk Mountain House in New York. He enjoyed his time every year in Ogunquit, where he met with his nieces Jane Fleischman and Sooky Schiavo; that trio had a special bond that lasted a lifetime. Charlie loved his family’s annual Mohonk trip and its outdoor lunches and dinners. But he also treasured just hanging out in the backyard on Downing Street, where he groomed the lawn, manned the grill and pitched in many whiffleball games.

Charlie was an avid Yankees fan (rarely if ever missing a game on TV), and rooted hard for the New York Giants, and more recently the New York Liberty. He played golf on local courses in New Jersey for many years and watched tons of golf (and tennis) on TV. Charlie was a voracious reader, master puzzler, super green thumb, and amazing BBQ chef.

A devotee of public libraries, botanical gardens and senior centers, donations to any such institutions would honor Charlie’s memory.