Charles K. Sweeney, Jr., 52, passed away peacefully at home on September 29th in the company of his adoring family. Husband, father, son, brother, and friend – Charlie is now at peace in heaven.
Born December 26, 1968 in Trenton, NJ, Charlie spent his childhood in Yardley, PA. As a child, Charlie enjoyed playing sports and rooting for his hometown Philadelphia Eagles. He graduated from Bishop Egan High School and Penn State University with a BS in Insurance and Real Estate.
Charlie made a career in New York City as an equity trader on Wall Street, beginning at Merrill Lynch and leading the Equity Trading business at several other banks throughout the years, most recently at JMP Securities. Admired and respected by his peers, Charlie regularly led recruiting efforts and took great pride in being a mentor to young people.
Charlie had a love for golf and could often be found playing a round with his wife, kids, or friends at Plainfield Country Club. He loved the ocean and enjoyed spending summers in Sea Girt and on Long Beach Island. A consummate host, Charlie welcomed friends stopping by and was always ready to fire up the grill and pour a cocktail paired with one of his renowned playlists. In the winter months, Charlie looked forward to ski trips out west, experiencing different mountains with his family each year.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife and soulmate, Kendra, and his children, Caitlin and Patrick; his parents, Charles Sr. and Beth; his brother John and wife Jeanette; his sister Mary Beth and husband Brian; his nieces and nephew, Taylor, Jordan, Anna and Danny; and his dog, Murphy, who spent day and night at his side. He is also survived by aunts, uncles, cousins and friends who love him.
Charlie strongly believed in the words of Stuart Scott, “You beat cancer by how you live.” Charlie lived passionately, full of love, and in service to those around him. In that sense, he beat cancer every day. We are better people because Charlie lived, and he will live on through us as we honor our love for him.
The family would like to thank Charlie’s friends who prayed relentlessly and continuously provided love and support, his medical team led by Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, who gave us the gift of more time together, and Monsignor Joseph Calise and Sister Carmella DeCosty, who have set our hearts and souls at ease.
Visitation for Charlie will be held on Wednesday, October 6 from 4:00-8:00pm at Lawton-Turso Funeral Home, 633 Washington Street in Hoboken, NJ (Corner of Washington and Seventh Streets, parking on Seventh Street). A funeral mass will be held on Thursday, October 7 at 12:30pm at St. Ann Catholic Church, 704 Jefferson Street in Hoboken, NJ. A celebration of life will follow from 3:00-7:00pm at Plainfield Country Club, 1591 Woodland Ave in Edison, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Charlie’s memory can be made to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in support of Dr. Diane Reidy-Lagunes’ young onset colorectal cancer research. Checks can be mailed to: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Office of Development, Attn: Community Fundraising, PO Box 27106, New York, NY 10087. Please indicate “In memory of Charles Sweeney” on the check memo line. If you prefer to donate online, please visit http://mskcc.convio.net/goto/CharlesSweeney
What a wonderful person . We are all better because we knew him
To the Sweeney and Barrett families, my deepest sympathies for your loss of such a vibrant and loving husband, father, son, brother, nephew, cousin- far far too early.
Thinking of you, wishing you hope in the midst of sorrow and sharing in your sadness . Charlie was one of kind with a beautiful soul. So fortunate to have shared so many wonderful, funny , amazing memories. You and your family are in our prayers .
My heart goes out to all of the Sweeney and Barrett families. We have known each other for a very long time as they grew up with my husband and his father at Trenton country Club learning the game of golf. Charlie was just a wonderful soul . I hope he is at peace now for he gave so much of himself to others including his sister Marybeth. Prayers for all of you with love.
To the family my deepest sympathies. I was truly blessed for meeting such an awesome gentleman, a loving family, and the cutest puppy in town. Rest In Peace Charles
Chas was a special guy from a very special family.
We enjoyed a great golfing trip to Ireland some years ago where Charlie Sr. and brother John were part of our jolly group.
Great times!
Chas always won the long drive award because he wanted to show us he had it!
The off course activities were memorable but nothing more fun than the evening we spent with Ken Venturi with Chas savoring his many tales after the rest of us hit the sack.
The man had staying power.
I am sad that he is gone but his memory always brings a smile.
Best to all the Sweeneys!
Although we never met, Charlie and I shared a similar journey. His parents are dear friends of mine. Charlie served as an inspiration to me and others that cancer is not a curse, merely a different path to God. His zest for life demonstrates to all that it is the quality of life that we share with others, not the quantity. He wasn’t a SURVIVOR. He was an OVERCOMER. A winner in this game of life we all must play.
Charlie and I have known and been friends with the Sweeney’s for many years. my Charlie and Charlie Senior were best friends for many years as were Beth and I. We are so saddened to hear that young Charlie lost his battle with cancer. We did not know him well in adult years, but have fond memories of him as a beautiful and sweet little boy. We also remember him stepping up to save his sister from another form of this devastating disease. Our hearts are breaking for you. Love and prayers, Charlie and Dottie
Charlie Sr. and family,
So sorry to hear of Charlie Jr.’s passing. You and your family will be in our prayers.
John Mallon and family
To all the Sweeney’s I am so sorry to hear about Charlie. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.
Cindy Guida DeLeo
Super friendly guy and made the office a better place. Didn’t get to spend much time around him unfortunately. He was always first to say “hi” and I bumped into him in the office in the middle of the pandemic, just a few of us there, and he was just happy to talk and full of positivity and energy. Sorry for his passing too soon.
It saddens me reading about the passing of Charlie Jr. Beth and Charlie Sr have been friends of our family for many years. My prayers and deepest condolences to all the family. May God give you strength the get through this terrible loss.
God Bless 🙏🏻. RIP Charlie…
My deepest sympathy to the entire Sweeney Family. Charlie was our family, always apart of everything and best friend to my brother. His strength, positive attitude and outlook on life was contagious. He has helped me more than he will ever know and I will miss him & his advice that ALWAYS came at the perfect time. Life is a gift, he lived his best life and is now at peace. God Bless Charlie and his loved ones
Our prayers and deepest sympathy for all the Sweeney family. May our dear Lord and Blessed mother Mary welcome Charlie into the Glory of Heaven and be at peace, Amen. Pat, may you hold the memories of your father in your heart & he will be close to you forever. We are here for you today & always, Our friendship and love, Paul, Carey, Tommy Stenberg and family
Charlie will always hold a special place in my heart. He was one of the very few that gave my wife the vigor to keep fighting and I am forever indebted to him for that gift. Charlie was a living example that a good attitude, smile and laughter can transcend life’s worst obstacles. Onward and upward.
My deepest sympathy to the great Sweeney Family, never forget the Great times we had around the dinner table with Charlie Sr. RIP Charlie 🙏🙏🙏
Dear Sweeney Family, Charlie was that rare soul that became near and dear to everyone he met. How blessed we all are to have had him be apart of our lives. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the entire Sweeney family. XXOO
Sending light and love to all ✨🙏🏻💕🙏🏻✨
I knew Charlie since 7th grade. Played basketball together and had a class or ywo together. We always laughed when we be hanging together talking basketball . He will be missed prayers to his family.
I send my condolences and love to the Barrett and Sweeney families. My heart aches for the loss of Charlie, such a vibrant person.
The Cassidy Family is deeply saddened to learn of the loss of your beloved Charlie. We were neighbors in Charlie’s early years on Homestead Dr. Charlie was a beautiful child inside and out. Our prayers go out to the Sweeney’s .
Charlie’s great kindness, empathy, and strength left a mark on me I’ll never forget. His endurance and determination to fully live and love was an example to all of us. My deepest condolences to the Sweeney and Barrett families. Rest In peace my dear friend.
Dear Charlie, Beth, and Family,
We’re so sad to hear about Charlie. Our special prayers are with you all. We know that he’s in a better place. While that may seem simplistic to say; we know it’s true.
God bless you all. Stay safe and well.
Bob & Beth Ragolia
I was just sitting here thinking about Charlie Jr., and rembering the time that I met him in New York a few years ago. I remember shaking his hand and thinking that, I have just met one of the kindest and caring men that I have ever met in my life. GOD Bless you my friend. GOD Bless the Sweeney family for your loss.
I knew.Charlie thru his brother John. Reading this I can understand his sense of pride in having such a man as both a friend and brother. God bless his beautiful soul.