Charles (Chuck) Barondess

Chuck Barondess passed away in New Jersey on June 13, 2023. He was 83.

Chuck had a lifelong career in retail and restaurant hospitality. He started in his father’s drugstore - Baron’s Drugs. Shortly thereafter, he co-founded Eastern Innkeepers. Always the visionary, the first restaurant the group launched was wildly successful -- The Jolly Trolley of Westfield. He went on to open other fruitful restaurants in New Jersey and Colorado including Charlie Brown’s locations, and Good Time Charley’s. He developed Dunn’s Garage, Hook Line & Sinker, Ichabod’s, Zeke’s, and Charley’s Grill with his second wife, Joanne DeCuollo. Chuck’s business acumen and pioneering sense of what makes a restaurant successful made him an influential force in the restaurant communities where he did business. His influence is – and will continue to be felt -- through the many people he hired and mentored throughout his long career,

Chuck was an avid skier and hiker and loved spending time in his home in Aspen, CO in the 70’s and 80’s. Another love was travel and he made many trips to Hawaii and throughout Europe. Chuck was one of first who flew on the Concorde between New York City and Paris.

Chuck was born in Plainfield, NJ on July 17, 1939. He was the oldest son of the late Gerson and Bernice Barondess. Chuck grew up in Westfield, NJ and graduated from Westfield High School. He attended American University.

He is survived by his brother Mark of Westfield, NJ as well as his three children: Amy, Robin, and Roger by his first wife Mimi (who predeceased him in 2021). He also had seven grandchildren: Michael, Bill, Lauren, Zackary, Liz, James, and Amanda.

His ashes will be spread on one of his favorite runs on Aspen Mountain in a private memorial. Thompson Memorial Home, Red Bank, has been entrusted with the arrangements.