Charles Francis Moreland was born July 22, 1935, to Clarence and Lillian Moreland in New Haven, Connecticut. He was the oldest of four children. Alonzo (Al) preceded Chuck in death, and his surviving siblings are George Moreland (Anne) of Maine and Donna Desmond (Ralph) of Connecticut. Nieces and nephews include Kevin Moreland, Lisa Wood Bartlett (deceased), George Moreland II, and Pasquale Moreland. Great-nieces and nephews Jordan and Natalie Moreland,Shane Moore, Shana and Kayla Bartlett.
Chuck had to quit school to work and help take care of his family after his father passed when Chuck was in the 8th grade. Chuck later joined the United States Navy and proudly served his country during the Korean Conflict.
Chuck had three sons Robert, Charles II, and Mark from his first marriage. Robert precedes his father in death, Charles II (Anita) resides in Port St. Lucie, Florida, and Mark (Ayanna) resides in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Chuck was blessed with 11 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren in total from his three sons, one daughter, and one stepdaughter.
Grandchildren: Robert Moreland, Jr., Christopher Moreland (deceased) and Jacqueline Moreland Deutche were born from his son Robert. Great- grandchildren Nathan and Abigail (Robert, Jr.).
Grandchildren: Candace and Charles III were born from his son Charles II . Great-grandchildren: Jasper (Candace), Step granddaughter Mariah Snyder, Anabel and Allie (Charles III).
Grandchildren: Ashley (Mark) Great grandson, Malachi (Ashley).
Daughter, Charlene resides in Dunnellon, FL had three of his grandchildren, Ashley, Alexis and Kristopher.
Step-daughter Carole Ann Ferrara (Anthony) resides in New Haven, Connecticut. Grandchildren: Fred and Melissa Ferrara, Great grandchildren Olivia Ferrara and Marlowe Montouri.
While in Connecticut, Chuck worked for the Railroad as a conductor. He was introduced to a feisty red head named Bette whom he married and had his daughter Charlene.
They lived in New Haven, Connecticut with Bette’s daughter, Carole Ann until 1970. Chuck and Bette had won a trip to Florida in 1969 and they fell in love with the tropical weather and better financial opportunities they were promised. A year later they made the move with Charlene to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
Chuck began working with his Uncle as a mechanic and after his uncle passed he went to work for Haines Meats as a truck driver. He was promoted to supervisor and worked there for years until the plant was sold.
Following that he began working for Broward County Streets and Highways and prior to getting the job, he studied with Charlene to obtain his GED since he had to quit school at such a young age to help care for his family. He remained with Broward County and retired years later as a supervisor in 1998.
His love of the American Legion began when he moved to Ft. Lauderdale. He joined and said he could not be just a card carrying member. He held many roles and responsibilities in American Legion Post 222, including Post Commander two different times. .
Chuck was very active in the American Legion at the Post level, the 9th District level, the Department level and National level. This organization brought a lot of love and joy to his life. He felt very accomplished and proud to be so active. As someone who originally felt his 8th grade education could have held him back, he rose above that challenge and excelled at many levels due to his involvement with the American Legion.
Chuck was known to be very well spoken and gave beautiful heartfelt and compelling speeches to enormous crowds at National Conventions where the President of the United States had just spoken.
Chuck was involved with many organizations throughout his life in Ft. Lauderdale including the Sons of the American Legion, American Legion Riders, the Elks and the 40/8, and a former Shriner and a Master Mason. He was a charter member of Fraternal Order of Eagles #3700 in Oakland Park, Florida. Chuck had a passion for Boys State which he was very involved with for numerous years. He served as the Merchant Marine Chairman for the American Legion National level. He was the longest serving committee chairman that has served.
Chuck had the opportunity to meet a lot of very important people. He was most proud of his relationship with the one and only Saint Nicholas who bestowed the honor on Chuck to be a Santa helper. Chuck brought smiles and laughter to so many children during his Santa duties at the American Legion Posts Christmas parties, 40/8 Children’s Christmas party, elementary school visits, as well as his annual ride on top of the North Andrews Gardens Fire truck each year as he traveled through the North Andrews neighborhoods. He even had the honor of being driven by a harness race horse at the old Pompano Park Harness Race track.
Chuck was always traveling. He often would sing, On the Road Again as he traveled throughout Florida and the United States for different American Legion events and business. After losing his wife Bette in 2001, Chuck relocated to Dunnellon, Florida but would still consider Ft. Lauderdale his home.
Chuck was blessed to have found love again with his wife Gayle whom he met while traveling to Avon Park to the American Legion Post. They were married in Hawaii in 2005, and were living in Dunnellon, Florida.
In August, Chuck was proud to welcome home his grandson Specialist Kristopher Williams who safely returned from a tour of duty while serving the US Army in Afghanistan.
Gayle and Chuck had just returned from Houston for the American Legion National Convention when they made another quick turnaround trip and headed down to Ft. Lauderdale. Chuck was very enthusiastic about this trip because he was attending because of a personal invitation by John Newstreet, Post 222 Commander. John and Chuck had a strong relationship that began in 1994 when John was selected to go to Boys State. They remained in touch and friends throughout the years and Chuck was delighted that John was now the Commander of his beloved Post 222.
Chuck and Gayle enjoyed the September 11th Memorial Service at Post 222 where they were able to reminisce and catch up with so many longtime friends. It was like a welcome home visit for him. Chuck’s visit to Ft. Lauderdale was his last stop of a lifetime of laughter, love, and great memories.
Chuck is traveling again. He didn’t like to stay still for too long you know. Chuck will be joining his former wife Bette, his mother and father, his first born son Robert, and his grandson Christopher, his brother Al, God- daughter and niece Lisa Wood Bartlett and his mother-in-law Marie along with an enormous group of friends in heaven.
He did wait until his loving wife Gayle told him it was okay to go towards the bright light and join that crazy red head Bette in heaven.
He will be missed but not forgotten. Gayle chose a beautiful prayer card that says it best.
“To Those I love”
When I am gone, release me, let me go, I have so many things to see and do;
You mustn’t tie yourself to me with tears,
Be happy that we had so many beautiful years.
I gave you my love, you can only guess, how much you gave me in happiness;
I thank you for the love you each have shown, but now it’s time I traveled on alone.
So grieve for me a while, if grieve you must,
Then let your grief be comforted by trust;
It is only for a while that we must part, so cherish the memories within your heart.
I won’t be far away, for life goes on, so if you need me, call and I will come;
Though you can’t see or touch me, I’ll be near, and if you listen with your heart, you will hear all my love around you, soft and clear.
Then, when each of you must come this way alone, I’ll greet you with a smile and say,
“WELCOME HOME”
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