Charles Fooy

Forever is too big for us that is why Charles Fooy always took each day as it came. He lived, loved and treasured every day he spent surrounded by the love of his family, friends and faithful companion, Buddy. He had an admirable work ethic and provided well for his loved ones, while his generous heart led him to help anyone in need. Gone but never to be forgotten, Charles will be missed and treasured in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

1939 was a tumultuous year for many worldwide. After enjoying an all too brief period of peace following World War I, many watched in terror as Germany invaded Poland, thrusting the globe into World War II. Although it would be years before the neutral United States officially became involved in the fighting, President Roosevelt prepared for the worst and submitted a defense budget of millions of dollars. Despite the worldwide fear of war, William and Irene (Hoelz) Fooy of Kalamazoo, Michigan had a reason to celebrate as they welcomed the birth of their son, Charles, on August 25, 1939. Charles was one of five children in his family, and the only boy. His sisters, Judena, Myrna, Marilynn and Emmelynn, kept a watchful eye on him while their parents worked – his father worked as a carpenter while his mother was a school teacher. When Charles was 6, the family moved to their grandfather’s farm in Bangor, and there he enjoyed the freedom to explore the great outdoors and learning to drive the tractor. Of course, Charles got into his fair share of mischief too, like when he took the tires from the wagon and put them on his car.

Chuck, as he was later called, received his education in the Bangor area schools. After graduating in 1957, he went to work as the Produce Manager at A&P in Bangor, Benton Harbor, and Parchment stores. Eventually, Chuck changed his career path and became a Real Estate Broker and opened his own office in Kalamazoo. During this time, Chuck married the love of his life, Charlene Balsis, on August 27, 1960, a day he cherished as one of the greatest in his life. The two met on an arranged date set up by Charlene’s brother, Frank, for her prom and with that, their love story had begun. After saying “I do,” the happy couple settled into married life together in Kalamazoo, and soon became the proud parents of three sons: Alan, Richard and Thomas. Chuck was no obligated to serve in the military because of the birth of their first son, Alan.

Chuck loved his family dearly, and together he and Charlene shared 44 great years of marriage. They enjoyed many memorable family vacations with their boys, visiting places like Mackinaw Island and Washington, D.C. Chuck was an attentive and active father, and he loved coaching his sons’ Westwood Little League teams. Some of his best life lessons often followed him saying “Shut your mouth and open your eyes” or “Expect the worst but hope for the best.” “Think before you speak, Al”. In the end, Chuck simply wanted his sons to be happy, to be good men, and to know that they were loved.

Chuck always had a bit of an adventurous spirit in him, and one of his great pleasures was taking his hot rod Corvette for a drive. Once, he drove his Corvette down Route 66 to St. Louis with his granddaughter, Maile, and it was nothing but good times the entire way! On the day of his son Tom’s wedding, Chuck’s car was the last thing on his mind, which was quite evident when he locked his keys in the car and it ran the entire ceremony. After the grandchildren were born, he sought out to find a daily companion and found a Brittany Spaniel through a newspaper ad, and the owner ended up being an old roommate of his sons, Alan and Tom. Buddy quickly became Chuck’s devoted four-legged friend and cohort in everything, even delivering messages under his collar to Charlene from the office to the living room.

Although life was good for Chuck, it was also marked by great sorrow when he lost his beloved wife Charlene on January 3, 2004. He tried to keep himself busy by becoming the landlord at a 4-plex in Paw Paw. One of Chuck’s hobbies was looking for antiques to add to his collection; he was particularly interested in Red Wing crocks. Above all, Chuck will be remembered for his generous spirit, his strength of mind, and his unconditional love for his family. He will be greatly missed.

Charles Fooy, age 73, died on Friday, May 3, 2013 at his home in Paw Paw, MI. Chuck was preceded in death by his wife, Charlene Fooy, and 2 sisters, Judena Fooy and Myrna Cleveland. Surviving are his 3 sons: Alan (Stephanie) Fooy, Richard (Joyce) Fooy and Thomas (Dori) Fooy; 8 grandchildren: Merritt, Schyler, Matthew, Ross, Maile, McKayla, Anna and Nicolas; 2 sisters: Emmelynn Balsis and Marilynn Laubscher; faithful companion, “Buddy”; and many nieces and nephews.

Gather with family and friends on Thursday, May 9, from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler – Kalamazoo; 6080 Stadium Drive, 375-2900. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, May 10, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Augustine Cathedral. Burial at Grand Prairie Cemetery. Please visit Chuck’s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you may share a memory or photo and sign his online guestbook.