Charles Manuel Baez was born in Aguas Buenas, Puerto Rico on January 30, 1921 and was raised in New York City. He started boxing when he was a kid and even did some amateur events in New York City and during the beginning of his Army Service. He always enjoyed the sport.
Charles enlisted in the Army National Guard with the 186th FA BN on January 13, 1941 and started active service on January 27, 1941 with the 186th FA BN. At that time they were forming the Tank Destroyer Battalion and served with the unit until sometime around the middle of 1943 which included a transfer to the Tank Destroyer training center at Fort Hood. He was subsequently transferred to the 736th FA BN in 1943 which was being formed at Ford Ord, California. Charles served in the European Theater of Operations with the 736th FA BN, U.S. Third Army and participated in the following campaigns: The Ardennes, Central Europe, Northern France and the Rhineland. He received several citations, the American Defense Medal, the American Campaign, the EAME Service Medal with four battle stars, WWII Victory Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.
After discharge in 1945, he went to work for the United States Postal Service and retired as a U.S. Postmaster in 1976 after 31 years of Federal Service.
Preceded in death by his parents, Avelino and Carlina Baez, grandparents, the mother of his children, Alice O. Baez and niece, Carol Linda Maribona Lambert.
Survivors include his wife, JoAnn O. Baez; daughters, Carol Baez of Houston, TX; Janice Baez Feldsine (John) of Pine Plains, NY; son, Charles M. Baez, Jr. (Cindy) of Farmington, NM; sisters, Rose Maribona (Ralph) of FL and Alice Baez of GA; nieces, Janet Lemon (Jeff), GA; Carlina Cortes Baez, Puerto Rico; nephew, Michael Maribona (Christine) of FL; granddaughters, Meghan Embry (Andy) and Natalie Feldsine, of NY; step-grandchildren, Amy Herring Schroeder (Chris); Will Herring (Dana); Crystal Doerr (Robert); six step-great grandchildren, Mason and Camryn Schroeder, Wyatt and Reed Herring, Peyton and Liam Doerr.
He was a member of Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, a lifetime member of the American Legion, member of American Legion Post 166, Victoria and a lifetime member of the DAV, member of DAV Victoria Post 169.
He loved to dance and did so every chance he got. He loved the game of golf and played golf well into his 80’s. He enjoyed baseball, painting with oils and watercolors. Later on he particularly enjoyed playing his guitar, especially in the evenings if he could not sleep he would play the guitar-the old songs from WWII and Big Band era.
A visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 pm, Monday, May 20, 2013 at Colonial Funeral Home followed by a rosary at 7:00 pm. The Funeral Mass will be held 2:00 pm, Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church with Father Stan DeBoe officiating. Burial will be held at Houston National Cemetery, Houston, Texas at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church or donor’s choice.
Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.colonialfuneralhomevictoria.com
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