Charles H Duryea II

Charles Howell Duryea II passed away on June 9, 2021 in Gainesville, Florida, at the age of 70. Charles died peacefully with his life partner Jacqueline Steele and daughter Chelsea Payne by his side. Charles was born on September 7th, 1950 in Miami, Florida to Charles A. and Carol F. Duryea. He was the oldest of three children. He attended Martin County High School, Indian River Community College, and Florida Atlantic University. Charles held a Bachelor of Education and a Master’s Degree in Administration and Supervision.

He was an educator for thirty-one years in the Saint Lucie County School system where he taught middle and high school language arts; educating thousands of students. He always had a smile and a joke for his students. Over the course of his career Charles obtained additional ESL best practice training to qualify as a state certified ESL instructor. He also worked for a short time as a lifeguard for Martin County.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents, Charles A. and Carol F. Duryea, his brother Clyde R. Duryea and his brother Carll A. Duryea.

He is survived by his life partner Jacqueline Steele, his daughter Dr. Chelsea B. Payne, son-in-law Geoffrey A. Payne, four grandchildren: Nicolette, Estelle, Lincoln, Brogan Payne, and nephew Carll Duryea, Jr, a great-niece Bryleigh and great-nephew Carter, as well as Jacqueline’s family, her son, Brent, his partner Mia, and grandson, Luca.

Charles, a true Floridian, was an avid surfer, boater and fisherman.

To all his lifelong friends and those who were fortunate to have known him the following quote sums up his philosophy:

“For what it’s worth: it’s never too late, or in my case, too early to be who you want to be.

There’s no time limit, stop whenever you want, you can change or stay the same, there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you will make the best of it.

And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view.

I hope you live a life you are proud of. If you find you are not, I hope you have the courage to start all over again.”

F. Scott Fitzgerald

People wishing to honor Charles’ lifelong commitment to education and the environment can make a donation to Florida Oceanographic Society (https://www.floridaocean.org).

In closing, Jacqueline received a condolence card with the following sentiment:

“Love like the Ocean continues beyond the horizon and life, like the Sun, Shines where we cannot see.”

May you celebrate a life well lived.