Obituary of Charles Puha

Charles Puha Formerly of South Plainfield and Toms River, NJ Charles Puha, formerly of South Plainfield and Toms River, NJ passed away peacefully at the Woodlands in Plainfield, NJ on Sunday, February 1, 2015. He was born on August 4, 1925 in South Plainfield to the late Charles and Mary (Popik) Puha. After raising 5 loving children in South Plainfield, he settled to Toms River, NJ, to retire "on his little house on the Prairie" with his wife, Irene. Charles and Irene were longtime parishioners of Our Lady of Czestochowa R.C. in South Plainfield, NJ. They wed there on August 30, 1947. When living in Toms River, they were communicants of St. Luke's R.C. Church. During WWII he participated in action as a Rifle sharp shooter in Okinawa, Japan in 1943 with the USMC. He was honorably discharged in 1946 with the rank of Corporal. Charles was a professional owner/operator truck driver for M & G Convoy and Ryder. He enjoyed bowling, boating on his favorite boat "USS Neversail" and fishing, hunting, and camping with his brothers, James and George and son, Charles, at various locations throughout the northeast and New England. He was actively committed to the VFW, the American Legion and the Polish Home and he and his wife Irene held various club positions there. Charles also loved polka dancing, chair dancing and tapping his foot to the beat of country and 40's music. He is survived by his 5 loving children, Dianne Marie Phillips (Stephen J), Marilyn Choshan, Stefanie Teresa Demico (Peter Elacqua Jr.), Charles Michael (Carol) and Jane Frances Sheedy (Robert). He leaves behind four loving and devoted grandchildren, Stephen Charles and Catherine Marie Phillips, Kaitlyn Marie and Kimberly Taylor Sheedy as well as his two brothers George and J. James Puha, (MaryJane) and will be missed by numerous nieces and nephews. Charles is predeceased by his wife of 65 years, Irene Blaszcak (2012), parents, Mary and Charles, his brother, Mike who was a Jr. South Plainfield Volunteer Firefighter and was KIA on February 9, 1945 during the Battle of the Bulge. He is also predeceased by brother, John. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, February 5, 2015 at 9AM at McCriskin-Gustafson Homes for Funerals, 2425 Plainfield Avenue, South Plainfield, NJ followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 10AM in Our Lady of Czestochowa R.C. Church, Hamilton Boulevard, South Plainfield NJ. Interment will follow in Holy Redeemer Cemetery, South Plainfield. Family and friends may attend visitation on Wednesday, February 4th from 4-8PM in the funeral home. Donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or the Wounded Warriors Project. FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS!