Charles “Charley” R. Hnilicka

03/16/1929 - 05/06/2022

Charles R. Hnilicka, “Charley”, age 93, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on the evening of Friday, May 6. Charley was born in Chester CT, on March 16, 1929. Although he enjoyed travel and adventure, he lived most of his life within fifteen miles of his place of birth, a place he truly loved. Charley had a generous heart and a welcoming smile, making friends wherever he went. His personality led him to work that rewarded honesty and service. He was also very devoted to his community through Rotary (50 years) and the Masons (72 years). Charley's love of friends and family, antique cars, snow machines, and travel filled out his life. He never needed much persuasion to be off on an adventure. Sunny day drives in Gypsy, Black Beauty, Casper, and others over the years. Traveling countless miles with friends on his snow machine in the far northeast. Logging literally millions of road trip miles for work and pleasure, or his many trips to Alaska where he traveled by train, light plane, dog team, snow machine, riverboat, and tugboat. Charley is preceded in death by his parents, Julia and Karl Hnilicka; his first wife, Constance Hnilicka; his second wife, Betty “Peg” Hnilicka; and son, Karl Hnilicka II. He is survived by his sister, Barbara Lavezzoli; daughters, Elaine “Lainie” Kertesz, Simone Hnilicka, Carol Doyle (Dan); daughter-inlaw, Julie Hnilicka-Karns; son, Charles Hnilicka Jr.; grandchildren, Rachael Foss-Clark ( Jesse), Zachary Kertesz, Zoli Kertesz, Vincent Hnilicka, Karl Hnilicka III, Julia Hnilicka, Mara Hnilicka, Charles Hnilicka III (Sarah), Maya Doyle, Jenny Doyle; great-grandchildren, Ryley and Otto McLaughlin, Boston, Asher and Calliope Clark; nieces, Julie (Lavezzoli) Purcell and Kathy (Lavezzoli) Milne; and their families. Also, stepson, Ed Smith Jr. (Nancy); step-grandchildren, Ed III (Tina) and Eric Smith, and step-great-grandchildren, Logan and Jared Smith. His family will receive relatives and friends at the Biega Funeral Home, 3 Silver Street, Middletown, on Tuesday, May 17, 2022, from 4 to 6 pm. A graveside service will be held Thursday, May 19, 2022, at 11 am at The First Church of Christ Congregational, 499 Town Street, East Haddam. In lieu of flowers, donations in the memory of “Charley” may be made to the Ray of Light Farm, 232 Town Street, East Haddam, CT 06423 rayoflightfarm.org