1934 - 2018
COOPERSTOWN – Charles Andrew Dimick, Native Son, passed away the evening of Tuesday, April 17, 2018, at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown. He was 84.
Born April 7, 1934, at Middletown Hospital in Middletown, Charlie was the son of Anna and Maurice Dimick.
Raised in Cooperstown, Charlie attended Cooperstown schools and played in various athletic sports. His first job was at Angelo Pugliese’s shoe shop. He was then employed by J. Harry Cook where he worked for 4 years as a taxi driver. On Sundays, Charlie worked at the Leatherstocking Golf Course, where he would walk all 18 holes carrying two golf bags at a time.
A member of Troop 12, Boy Scouts of America, Charlie later served on the Council with George Tillapaugh and Homer Osterhoudt.
After graduating from Cooperstown High School with the Class of 1953, he and his friend, Charlie Michaels enlisted in the U.S. Army as they knew that the draft was still on because of the Korean War. Following boot camp, his and Michaels’ orders were to go to Korea, but that changed as the Signal Battalion went to Germany.
After receiving his Honorable Discharge from the Military in 1956, Charlie came home and went to work for New York Telephone Company in Syracuse. He was eventually moved to the Cooperstown offices, and for 41 years worked for New York Tel and three for Bell South.
While in the Military, Charlie met Maria Johanna Pijnenburg, whose family came to America from Holland in 1952. On September 13, 1958, Charlie and Maria were married at St. Mary’s “Our Lady of the Lake” Roman Catholic Church in Cooperstown. On August 19, 1959, Yvonne was their first born child, with Scott, Yvette and Charles John to follow. For 48 years, Charlie and Maria were a couple devoted to each other and their family and made their home at 63 Chestnut Street. With great sadness, Charlie lost Maria to cancer June 22, 2006. He missed her greatly, and for many years after her passing he visited her grave each and every day, no matter the weather or time of year.
Charlie truly loved his home town of Cooperstown, and through the years wore many hats in the community. Alongside his special brother fireman, Chuck Coleman, Charlie was a faithful and devoted member for 34 years of Mechanic’s Hook and Ladder Co. No. 5 of the Cooperstown Fire Department. He was also a member of the Native Sons of Cooperstown, the Clark F. Simmons American Legion Post No. 579, and -along with Maria - the Doubleday Square Dancers.
Charlie will be fondly remembered for his ability to tell jokes and make people smile-a good belly laugh would really warm his heart.
Charlie now leaves his family of four, with spouses and grandchildren, to be with Maria.
Friends may call and pay their respects at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown on Friday, May 11, 2018, from 4-6 p.m. when Charlie’s family will be in attendance.
The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 12, 2018, at St. Mary’s “Our Lady of the Lake” Roman Catholic Church in Cooperstown, with Fr. John P. Rosson, pastor officiating.
As a final tribute to Charlie’s dedicated service to the Cooperstown Fire Department, his casket will be brought to Lakewood Cemetery in Cooperstown in CFD’s 1952 Mack. The Service of Committal and Burial will be followed by Military Honors accorded by members of the Cooperstown Veterans Club and the New York State Military Forces Honor Guard.
As an alternative to flowers, the Dimick Family respectfully requests that memorial donations be made to the Cooperstown Fire Department, PO Box 1, Cooperstown, NY 13326 or the Cooperstown Emergency Squad, PO Box 322, Cooperstown, NY 13326.
Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.
If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers at (607) 547-8822, or A Rose is a Rose at (607) 264-3100.
