Charles Clerecuzio Obituary
Charles Alan "Chuck" Clerecuzio, 54, of Woolwich Township passed away suddenly Wednesday, November 1st, at his home. Chuck was the son of the late Angelo Charles and Constance Clerecuzio. He is survived by his wife Molly (Ward) Clerecuzio and son Joseph Kenneth. Also surviving are his sister Judi Steward and husband David, of Bay Shore, NY, and brother-in-law Ken Ward Jr. and wife Elizabeth Wehner of Charleston, WV, and nephews DJ Steward and Thomas Ward, mother-in-law Laura Ward, and many beloved friends and cousins.
Chuck was born in Oradell, New Jersey, and grew up in Saddle Brook in Bergen County. He was a graduate of Saint Joseph Regional High School in Montvale, and had attended Stevens Institute of Technology. He held a Bachelor of Science in Zoology and a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering from Rutgers University, and a Master of Business in Administration in Finance and Operations Management from the Stern School of Business at New York University.
He had previously been pursuing a PhD in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering at Rutgers University, with research focused on retrofitting idle refineries for processing renewable fuels. He was an AIChE Fellow, the 2013 Delaware Valley Engineer of the Year, and the 2012 Chemical Engineer of the Year. He was also a recipient of the Buz Lange Award from ISPE, the Order of the Engineer.
Chuck was a Professional Engineer holding licenses in multiple states. He was a member of St. Clare of Assisi Parish, the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, the International Society of Pharmaceutical Engineers, Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity and a former member of the Union League of Philadelphia. Chuck was a former volunteer firefighter and emergency medical technician, as well as a paid EMT and paramedic.
He was proud to be a member of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary. He had been an adjunct instructor at both Rutgers University and Rowan University. He had worked for over 25 years in the Pharmaceutical and Bio-Technology fields. Facing limited mobility after being diagnosed with end- stage renal disease and having a foot amputation, Chuck started his own engineering company, OSDV Engineering, Inc. The company recently received accreditation as a disability owned business enterprise by the US Business Leadership Network.
Chuck was proud of being able to offer work to people who could not necessarily work in a traditional work/office environment. Chuck had no greater joy than spending time with wife and son, as well as extended family and friends. He loved being in a house full of people having fun. Chuck was no fair-weather Rutgers football fan, being a season ticket holder for over 20 years.
He enjoyed sailing, golfing traveling, and listening to music. When his son was just a toddler, Chuck instituted "no soft rock Saturdays" to facilitate what he called his "musical education". He liked cooking with his family, reading science fiction, watching The Big Bang Theory, and seeing superhero movies with his son and friend Frank.
He even enjoyed indulging his wife in her Fiestaware obsession and volunteer endeavors. He had recently become an advocate for people with disabilities, having undergone an amputation himself. Come celebrate 54 great years Sunday 5-7 p.m. at Daley Life Celebration Studio and Monday from 11 a.m. at St. Joseph's Church Swedesboro where Mass will be celebrated at Noon.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to help fund the future cost of his son, Joseph's education. Contributions may be sent to the address of Chuck's loving wife, Molly Clerecuzio at 55 Frederick Blvd. Woolwich NJ, 08085 .
