Charles Moskowitz

If a man’s worth is measured in lives touched, then Charles Moskowitz would have wealth beyond measure as there was no one who met him and left unchanged. He had a zest for life that was contagious to those around him, and he was a firm believer in the notion that one can accomplish anything they set their mind to with hard work and determination. It has been said that behind every great man is an amazing woman and Charlie certainly would agree as he would say that his beloved Betty was the best thing that ever happened to him. Together Charlie and Betty witnessed their family tree blossom to include numerous branches of loved ones who were his greatest source of pride and joy. He was unforgettable, even described as bigger than life, and although he accomplished so much of which to be proud Charlie’s greatest legacy is found in the generosity he provided to many.

During the decade of the Roaring Twenties America celebrated transformational advancements such as movies available in both color and sound, inventions like the washing machine and refrigerator, and more affordable automobiles thanks to the determination of Henry Ford. It was during this time of unprecedented change that a young couple from Rochester, New York, was pleased to announce the birth of their son on March 19, 1924. Charles Julian was the oldest of four children born to his parents, Jay and Harriett (Shaw) Moskowitz, and he was raised in the family home on Lake Ontario alongside his siblings, Barry, Pauline, and Nancy. He loved everything about nature including the beach, the rocks, and the woods. Charlie’s father was a real estate broker while his mother was a homemaker and concert pianist who played the piano during silent movies to add drama to each scene.

In many ways Charlie experienced a typical boyhood. He loved playing on the huge boulders that were stacked along the shore of Lake Ontario and both swimming and sailing in addition to hanging out with his pals and school chums. Charlie was known to get into a bit of mischief every now and then. He also had an interest in flying and was thrilled when his Uncle Norman paid for flying lessons, which would allow him to enlist in the Army Air Corps a bit later. As a young man Charlie worked loading kegs onto trucks at the Genesee Brewery. He graduated from Charlotte High School in Rochester where he was a member of the Sigma Beta bunch.

With a desire to serve his country, Charlie enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1943. While in the military, he trained at various air bases throughout the country eventually becoming a sergeant. Charlie was on his way to becoming a pilot when he was honorably discharged in 1946. For the rest of his life he loved flying, and he eventually became a private pilot who learned to fly using instruments for night flying.

After returning from the military Charlie went on to earn his Bachelor of Science degree with a major in geology from Michigan State College on the GI Bill. Science, especially astronomy and geology, was always an area of interest for him.

Life was forever changed for Charlie when he met the woman of his dreams while at a dance at Abbott Hall at Michigan State College in October of 1946. Her name was Betty Jane Goulette, and although Farmer Green was on his way over to ask her to dance it was Charlie who got there first! Deeply in love, they were married on June 10, 1947, in Grand Blanc. Together they were blessed with four children: Estelle Marie, Paul Edward, Betsy Ann, and Jeffrey Scott.

With his education behind him, Charlie moved to Mt. Pleasant and began working in the conservation department of the DNR in 1991, which was called the geological division at the time. By 1957 Charlie was ready for something more exciting, which marked the first of his wildcat drilling ventures in 1958. He was a savvy businessman who leased the land, found investors, hired a drilling contractor, and did his own geological work - things that would be unheard of in today’s world. Charlie spent the rest of his life working as an independent oil and gas producer, maintaining an office in downtown Mt. Pleasant. Although it was not always easy, he loved the oil industry and considered every day at the office to be a joy.

Charlie loved his work, but nothing beat being with his family. Every summer they went out to the Black Hills of South Dakota to search for gold, and he was also known to mix his business ventures up North with family trips. Numerous memories were made in the Roscommon area and at Otsego Lake and Higgins Lake. Charlie also took the Jeep Wagoneer and his camper trailer for a three week adventure each summer. Thanksgiving was always a major holiday spent with family back in Rochester. During more recent years family and friends gathered at the famous lodge, Wa Wa Sum, on the beautiful AuSable River near Grayling, Michigan, during the early fall. Another favorite gathering place was Hartwick Pines. The Moskowitz family also took the ferry across Lake Michigan several times to enjoy the Oshkosh Air Show. In 1994, Charlie and Betty along with his brother, Barry, and his wife, Sally, toured Europe.

A man of many interests, Charlie lived a full life. He belonged to MOGA, served as president of Temple Benjamin, and was appointed to the Board of Control for the Michigan Technological University by Governor John B. Swainson. Under his leadership, they broke ground on the Smith Library in 1964. He served on the board for six years and became board chairman during his final year. Charlie loved playing blackjack at the Soaring Eagle Casino, and he did quite well more times than not. At the young age of 88, he appeared in a local documentary about the Purple Gang.

Described as flamboyant and spirited, adventurous and entrepreneurial, Charles Moskowitz made a significant impact in the world around him. He was the eternal optimist who seemed to know how to make just about anything happen. Social and outgoing, Charlie was the life of the party, and he was forever passionate about the things he loved and the things he believed in. He will be remembered for his cigar smoking, the way he was always four steps ahead of everyone else, and his larger than life personality among so many other unique traits that made him so easy to love. Charlie will be deeply missed and warmly remembered.

Charles J. Moskowitz died on May 20, 2013. Charlie’s family includes his four children, Stella Holloway of Rochester NY, Paul (Jan Ellen) Moskowitz of Bloomfield Hills, Betsy Moskowitz of Remus and Jeff Moskowitz of Mt. Pleasant; five grandchildren, Deniz, Tanya, Madlyn, Noah, Jay, and Leo; four great-grandchildren; his brother, Barry Moss of Pacific Grove, CA; cousins, Tim Malone of Naples, Florida, Craig Shaw of Fairfield, Iowa, and Gretchen Gross of Buffalo, NY; nephews, Christopher Wachs, Bill, Tommy, and Richard Moss; and nieces Molly Lavik, Amy Moss, Susan Nareiek, Patti Petesch, and Anne Pullman. Charlie was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Jane, and sisters, Pauline Wiegand and Nancy Wachs. His Memorial Service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, May 24 at Lux Family Life Story Funeral Home, 2300 South Lincoln Road, Mt. Pleasant, with Rabbi Amy Bigman of Shaarey Zedek officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Woodland Hospice, 2597 S. Meridian Rd., Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858. Please visit www.luxfamilyfuneralhome.com to leave a memory.