A few days ago I found out Chuck only lived in Brooklyn 8 years.  I said no, no, it was way longer than that.  I felt I knew Chuck much longerâ€¦years longer. 
So now as I think back, I guess it was about a half dozen years ago after a quilt session, I swung by the house to pickup Cliff for dinner.  On our way out I wanted to show him a house down the road.  Suddenly he yelled for me to stop and pull over.  He recognized a man from Taylorâ€¦a fellow golfer and Ford Retiree, who frequented Taylor Meadows when Cliff worked there part-time after his Ford retirement.
I was introduced to Chuck Hoover, our neighbor.  Cliff and Chuck talked.  And talked.  They talked about golf, the lake, living in Brooklyn and Ford Motor.  Chuck mentioned he had only stopped home for a moment to check the house and mail.  He also said his sister was ill and he wanted to get back to her in Taylor.
When they were finished I asked Chuck to come around to my side of the van.  I slid the door open and held back the quilts from spilling out that were waiting unloading and storage in our house.  I asked Chuck how his sister was doing.  He shook his head.  With tears in his eyes and a lump in his throat, he said she had cancer.
I dug around for a pretty quilt I remembered seeing when the van was packedâ€¦ and found a couple more that were appropriate.  I held them up and let him pick. They were perfect.  I handed over the quilt to Chuck along with a flyer about our group.  He immediately reached into his pocket and drew out his wallet.  I said no.  Our quilts were not for saleâ€¦ it was to bring his sister warmth and comfort.  I asked him to read the flyer when he had some time and then he would better understand what our group did and why we gave away quilts.
When Chuck left Jan that day, she was asleep.  He said he did not have the heart to wake her and so he covered her with the dog blanket and left.  He was excited about being able to replace the dog blanket and cover her in the beautiful quilt he picked out.
And so our friendship began.  A few days later Chuck came over dragging in a roll of batting for our quilting efforts with promises of more to come.   What Chuck didn't know at the time, was divine intervention had hit our group.  We ran out of batting at that last quilt session on the day I met Chuck and we were uncertain how far we'd be able to continue.  We fondly named Chuck â€œBatting Daddyâ€ and referred to him as BD.  When we called him BD his face would turn redâ€¦we knew he loved it.  Over the years there were many rolls of batting along with many memorable chats.  Chuck was very proud to be BD.  He joined the quilters for events, he was always available when we asked for his help, and he'd stop in and encourage us and wish us well.  He was even prouder being involved in our success.  He had the same principles and values that made up our groupâ€¦giving.  He was also a strong veteran and troop supporter.  He proudly looked over the valor quilts we'd display before taking them to Battle Creek vets and those who were wounded from the war efforts.
Over the years there were numerous phone calls and visits.  His number was taped to the back of our phone.  I'd call him and let him know pineapple upside down cake just came out of the oven, we'd tell him the coffee pot was on, we'd let him know there was bread pudding cooling, or invite him to have a bowl of soup and hot bread with Cliff and me.  We met for dinner.  Somehow one day we figured out I had worked with his brother, Jim.  There were calls back and forth about who we knew for service of appliances.  Who worked on the docks.  Who could help with the weed issues in the lake, lawn work, cleaning.  We'd call and let each other know the price of gas when we were out.  We'd call him and let him know a herd of deer were headed toward himâ€¦he'd let us know when they were on their way back to our woods.  He was a visitor while I was hospitalized.  Danny and Martha(our Schnauzer) exchanged Christmas gifts.  It goes on.  We will miss him.
There was so much more to Chuck than being BD.  He was a wonderful friend and neighbor.  He was compassionate.  His kindness was not held to a monetary roll of battingâ€¦his generosity was in his heart.
Although he touched many lives and leaving us will be a void to many, Chuck lives in a better place than Brooklyn and his happier than most people can imagine.

May your memories of the wonderful times you shared with your loved one comfort you and your family, today and always.

I was so sorry to hear of your loss.  The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.

Sorry to read of your loss.  My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Diane Bradley (Mattice)

Our love and prayers go out to our dear cousins.  May your memories keep Chuck alive in your hearts. We are with you in thoughts and prayers.

I am saddened that I cannot be there to say farewell to Cousin Chucky.  My how our families loved putting "y's" on the end of all our names.  Chucky, Janie, Jimmy, Jackie, Patty and Tommy.  While we've not maintained close contact through the years, I will never forget the love and kindness shown to us by all the Hoovers, Uncle Ed, Aunt Mary, Chuck, Jan and Jim as we were growing up together.  You will be missed by everyone that knew you but you will live on in our hearts.  God Bless everyone, you all are in our prayers.

I have this memory, so vivid it is like watching it on a screen, of going to Briggs Stadium with Chuck. It must have been in the late 50s since it was Briggs Stadium, not Tiger Stadium. There were likely others with us, possibly my father and my Uncle Ed, but Chuck is the only one I can remember & can actually see. We were seated behind home plate and I sat next to Chuck.

Whenever the Tigers are in Boston to play the Red Sox, I think of Chuck. When the Red Sox are in Detroit to play the Tigers, I think of Chuck. 

Today I'm sad. Today I'm in pain. But I know next spring the Tigers will come to town and once again I will be that little boy sitting next to his cousin Chuck.

Rick Thompson

What a great person you have been to Kathy and her family.  You inspired them and made their lives. Our grand children thought the world of you we talked about you and about fishing.  We enjoyed seeing you at events with Kathy and her family.   Please look down on all of us and help us thru life.
Heaven has a special person.  God Bless everyone.  The Spauldings  Jeff, Jo, Curtis, Shane, Landen & Olivia

How lucky we were to have had you as our neighbor and our friend.  We will miss you Chuck.

Vicki and Casey Smith
Cydni and Davis

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Charles E. "Chuck" Hoover

8 mars 1942 – 18 octobre 2011

Burden-Patience-Montgomery Funeral Home

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