Rockwell, Sgt. Charles T. Jr.

MENANDS — Sgt. Charles T. Rockwell Jr., 58, died on Sunday, October 3, 2021, at St. Peter’s Hospital after a brief illness surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Troy, he was the son of Charles T. Rockwell Sr. and Donna L. Quandt Rockwell of Wynantskill, and husband of Marcella Bender Rockwell. Charles was a lifelong resident of Wynantskill only moving to Menands in 2009. He was a graduate of Troy schools.

He started working under his father at Rockwell and Sons plumbing and heating, replacing boilers at the age of sixteen and eventually becoming a master plumber in 1981. He took over the family business as owner and operator for several decades. After his years at the Mohawk paper mill, Charlie began his long and dedicated career in law enforcement, beginning with the North Greenbush Police Department, then going on to work for multiple law enforcement agencies throughout Albany, Rensselaer and Saratoga Counties and including the Department of Justice, NDNY.

Charles was a police officer for 33 years. He retired from the Colonie Police Department (C.P.D.) in 2006 and for 10 years worked with the Stillwater Police Department achieving the rank of sergeant and retiring in 2016.

While at the C.P.D., he had a highly accomplished and well-respected career where he was a field training officer, a member of the special services team as a sniper and entry team, the motors division, and a member of the Attorney General’s task force. Charlie received multiple awards, including: Command Recognition, Lifesaving, Wound Medal, SWAT Accomplishment Ribbon and was a recipient of multiple Distinguished Service awards.

Charlie began his second career path with Catholic Charities as director of Facilities and was promoted to executive director at Mccloskey Community Service Corporation. In addition, Charlie spent time at the border in Laredo, Texas, (2019) to provide shelter, food and care to immigrants. Charlie’s strong work ethic was not limited to his professional career as he pursued his education, first earning an associate degree, then his bachelor’s degree in business management, at Exclesior College and was enrolled in Liberty University’s Master of Science in finance program.

Charlie was also a patented inventor holding U.S. patent number 6,582,219 B1 Torch Illumination Device. Charlie’s love for his kids can be measured by the numerous home improvement projects he’s completed in their homes over the years.

Charlie cherished his life journey with his best friend and adoring wife, Marcella, "greatest fan of his life," especially, "Sleep-in Saturdays," weekends at the Cape and Sunday breakfast at the Window Box.

Charlie was an avid outdoorsman, displaying an immense respect and admiration for nature and local history and enjoyed hiking, hunting, fishing and most recently, boating and enjoyed brewing beer.

Survivors, in addition to his mother, father and wife, include his children, Charles John (Alexandra) Rockwell of Troy, Dana Marie (Joshua) Sams of Sanford, N.C., Melissa Kathryn (Richard) Morey of West Sand Lake, John Andrew (Stephanie) Rockwell of Colonie, and Aiden Thomas Rockwell of Menands; his siblings, Tammy A. (Rocco) Fragomeni, Dawn M. (Mark) Rockwellpompey, and Renee L. (Tracy Kohls) Rockwell-goyer; his grandchildren, Theodore Edward Rockwell, Gunnar

Edward Rockwell, Gunnar William Morey and two grandchildren on the way; and several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister, Pamela Ann Rockwell.

Relatives and friends may call at St. Pius X Church, 23 Crumitie Road, Loudonville on Friday, October 8, from 4 - 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 10 a.m. in St. Pius X Church, Loudonville with Reverend L. Edward Deimeke, officiating. Face covering and social distancing are required if not vaccinated. Interment will be in the Albany Rural Cemetery, Menands.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Charles T. Rockwell Jr. to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island, NY, 10306 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105.

To sign the guestbook, light a candle or for service directions, visit brycefh.com.