Mr. Charles W. Quackenbush

Charles (“Quack”) Quackenbush, 72, of Paulsboro, died peacefully on Saturday July 30, 2022 at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Camden New Jersey with his wife of 39 years by his side. Chuck was born in Dearborn Michigan on February 12, 1950. His family relocated to Penn’s Grove New Jersey, his mother’s hometown, in 1952. He was a 1968 graduate of Salesianum School in Wilmington Delaware and attended St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. Chuck always had a smile that could light up a room, a story to make you laugh and was always supportive of the people he loved and cared for. While he was a Payroll Manager by profession, working for companies such as Raytheon/United Engineers, Wheaton Glass and Morgan Properties, Chuck’s true passion was Drum and Bugle Corps, going all the way back to the 1960's and his iconic performance of the "Baby Elephant Walk". He was one of the earliest few to ever play contra bass bugle(think tuba) and be part of that huge innovation to drum and bugle corps history. Chuck was a wonderful and very talented person. He welcomed everyone with his warm smile and personality. Most especially, many were able to witness his contributions to the drum and bugle corps world through his participation in such organizations as Blue Rock, Yankee Rebels, Blessed Sacrament, Rhode Island Matadors, Archer Epler Musketeers , Music Express and Brooklyn United. At indoor shows, he would often play with one corps, leave the stage, change uniforms and go back on stage with another corps. Chuck was a member of the Pennsylvania Drum Corps Hall of Fame and the New Jersey Drum Corps Hall of Fame. Chuck loved music and marching so much that he wanted to share the activity with the generations that followed him. He was the marching and maneuvering instructor for the Haddonfield Royaleer Mounties, Salem New Jersey High School Marching Band, Exeter New Hampshire High School Marching Band, and the Gloucester City High School Marching Band and Indoor Percussion Line. In addition to his drum corps activities, Chuck was an avid reader of Science Fiction and Fantasy and a member of many of the accompanying fandoms, e.g.. Star Wars, Star Trek, LOTR and Marvel Comics. He was thrilled to share the love of those things with his nephew, Thom. He was also a Disneyphile, and loved to visit Disney World and Disneyland with his wife, Valerie. He and Valerie were also fortunate to travel to Mexico City, Veracruz, Arizona, Los Vegas and several other vacation destinations. Together they especially loved to take the back roads and see what they could see. When he moved to Paulsboro in 1989, Chuck became involved in the community and was instrumental in reviving Fourth of July and Christmas parades in the borough. He was honored for those efforts by being named Grand Marshal of the 2011 Fourth of July parade. Chuck was predeceased by his parents Charles and Kathryn and his brother Thomas. He will be fondly remembered by wife Valerie, son Omar Cunningham, father-in-law Ernest Ridgely, sisters in law Pat Quackenbush, Debra Pierre (Joanes), Barbara Hurley (James), nieces and nephews, Jamie, VJ, Thom (Kate), Patrice (Rich), Kevin (Marissa), Julianna (Colin), Alexander, Emily, Justin (Teras), Jeremy, Roman and Madeline, as well as three great nephews and two great nieces. He will also be remembered by legions of drum corps brethren and former students. A Memorial Service will be held at 11AM Saturday August 6, 2022 in the McBride – Foley Funeral Home, 228 W. Broad St., Paulsboro. Relatives and friends may visit with the family Saturday morning after 10 AM until service time. Inurnment Private. The Service will also be live streamed on Facebook on the McBride – Foley Funeral Home page. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Marching Pageantry Arts Museum, 1024 2nd Ave., Media PA 19063. Checks and Paypal donations are welcome. Memories can be shared at www.mcbridefoleyfh.com.

Mr. Charles W. Quackenbush

February 12, 1950 - July 30, 2022