Chuck "Woosh" James

Charles R "Chuck" James Obituary

Charles R. “Chuck” James, the most devoted husband, father, and pop-pop, was welcomed into eternal glory on September 26, 2025, at his home in Port Monmouth. Chuck was the embodiment of love in action, faith in God, playfulness, adventure, and an incredible pair of legs (we promised that we would mention his legs). We’re also supposed to tell everyone what an excellent singer he was, despite all evidence to the contrary. Everyone who has ever met Chuck understands the depth of our loss and is celebrating the life of this wonderful man, whom we truly didn’t deserve.

Chuck was welcomed into Heaven by his parents, Dolores and Willie James, and his beloved niece, Cathy Dalton.

Chuck was born in Nuremburg, Germany in 1947, to a U.S. Army Nursing Captain mother and U.S. Army Command Sergeant Major father, of whom he was so very proud. Chuck moved to the United States with his parents, and cherished younger brother, William M. “Bill” James, a few years later. The family settled in Port Monmouth, the place that Chuck affectionately called “home” no matter where life took him. Chuck graduated from Middletown High School in 1965 and subsequently attended John F. Kennedy College in Wahoo, Nebraska, of which he was a member of the inaugural class. While at JFK, Chuck was involved in campus politics, theater (where he was relegated strictly to speaking roles), and the founding of their Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity chapter. Chuck has always said that his times at JFK were some of the best of his life, and he made lifelong friendships there. At JFK he obtained Bachelor of Arts degrees in Psychology and Sociology, and later obtained a Master of Education degree in Guidance and Psychology from Springfield College in Springfield, MA. Chuck obtained a second Master of Arts degree in Public Administration from Rutgers University in Newark, NJ. Chuck began his professional career as the Director of Youth Services in Middletown, NJ. During his tenure, Chuck founded the Boy’s Club of Middletown. During this time, Chuck was awarded the “Butch” Memorial Award for Outstanding Services to Community Youth, and the Outstanding Public Service Award and Public Servant of the Year from the Middletown Jaycees. Several of his former youth still share stories with our family about how much Chuck’s mentorship and guidance positively shaped their lives. Chuck felt a sense of responsibility for the safety and success of every child he knew, and that continued throughout his life. Later in life, Chuck transitioned to a career in sales, where he excelled and stood-out for his honesty and joyful personality.

In 1972, Chuck met Deborah “Debbie” Scafati, and despite being FAR out of his depth, successfully pursed a relationship with her. Chuck and Debbie were married in 1974, and made wonderful memories traveling with friends, serving on the Port Monmouth First Aide together, and eventually raising their three adoring children in Middletown. Everyday that Chuck and Debbie could spend with their children, parents, siblings, beloved nieces and nephews, and dear friends, was the best day of their life. Chuck is survived by his wife and best friend, Debbie, with whom he just celebrated 51 years of marriage in August.

Chuck traveled extensively and had the gift of finding the joy and adventure in every situation. Nothing in life, however, brought him more joy and adventure than being a father and a grandfather. Chuck’s children, Trisha Murphy (Shawn), Charles W. “Chuck” James (Jennifer), and Elizabeth “Betsy” Toal (Eric), could never put into words the gift of having Chuck as a father. Chuck was so proud of Trisha’s work in youth services, Betsy’s career as a nurse, and Chuck’s career in construction and involvement in Scouting. He was most proud of his children’s roles as parents themselves. He was a fierce protector, wise mentor, silly playmate, and our best friend. Chuck made it clear to his children that there was no place in the world he would ever rather be than wherever they were.

As much as Chuck loved and adored his children, his love for his grandchildren outshone everything else in his life. Chuck relished being a caregiver, playmate, and friend to Isla, James, Kelsey, Liam, Owen, Delaney, Braylynn, Mara, Hunter, Alexandra (Ruan), Morgan, Ally, and Rosa, and lived for spending time with them and attending all their shows, sporting events, and recitals, Civil War re-enactments, and snuggling up for a good nap. Chuck’s happy place was on his deck with his grandchildren, sipping coffee, tending to his impossibly robust tomato plants, and singing along to his Statler Brothers cassette tapes. All of Pop-Pop Chuck’s grandchildren would describe him as their hero and best buddy, despite learning from an early age to plug their ears every now and then.

Chuck enjoyed a wonderful and close relationship with his brother, Bill (Lynne) of Punta Gorda, FL, whom he truly adored, and his James, Scafati, Kutyla, Robertson, Toal, Mahler, and Murphy family members.

Chuck lived an exceptional life of love and kindness. He believed that we find purpose and happiness in service to others, and that we are responsible for leaving every person that we meet better for having known us. Although we already miss him terribly, we will continue to live out this legacy of love.

From the age of 8, Chuck has been deeply involved in Scouting America and has always been very proud to have been inducted as a Vigil Member of Order of the Arrow. One of the highlights of his life was when his son, Chuck, received his Eagle Scout rank. He also has always been so happy to share Scouting with his brother, son, nephew Anthony, and niece Kristen. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Forestburg Scout Reservation, where he loved spending time as a child with his own father and brother, and as an adult with his son and nephew.

Forestburg Donation: https://forms.tentaroo.com/view.php?id=13429626