Charles Joseph Slavis, Jr.

Charles Joseph Slavis, Jr. was born November 5, 1946, in Milford, Connecticut. He was found deceased in his apartment on November 5, 2023.  The youngest of three children born to Charles and Janice Slavis, he graduated from Stratford High School and earned a Bachelor of Science in Business from Nichols College, Dudley, Massachusetts. He joined the Army, serving in Vietnam, then worked at Slavis Cutter Works in Stratford, Conn. His first marriage to Donna McKnight ended in divorce. Pre-deceased by his second wife, Jayne Slavis, he is survived by his sister, Janice Slavis Urbsaitis, his brother Edward Cadwell Slavis and his wife Linda Marten Slavis, his cousins Barbara Cox, Joseph Parnar, nieces Aimee Kearns, Jill Duncan-Brucato, nephews Bryan Urbsaitis, Robert Slavis, Carl Slavis, and grand-nieces Lindsey Duncan, Thara Slavis, Neela Slavis, Liana Slavis and grand-nephew Dakota Duncan. 

Charlie was a monthly donor to the Save the Children Foundation sponsoring a boy and a girl. Before he was born, he saved his Mother’s life. Her pregnancy enabled doctors to discover a condition that they were able to treat in time. If you were his friend, or his kin, he would do anything for you. Many stray dogs and cats found homes with him. 

Charlie was a competitive football player in high school and college. He loved watching Ohio State, the New York Giants and the Yankees. He would share his post-game analyses with friends at the American Legion in Holmesville, Ohio.

Charlie had a keen wit and sent jokes that he had written to Jay Leno (who read one of them to the audience during his show).  He liked to paint and enjoyed being outdoors as much as possible.

From our individual perspectives, we compared notes and shared jokes. If he had something on his mind, he wouldn’t let you forget about it. Charlie was a larger-than-life brother who lived life on his own terms. He flew a glider.  He rode his motorcycle home from college during a snowstorm one Christmas, arriving nearly unrecognizable covered in snow and ice. He loved it when he would ask Grammy Cadwell for a cookie and she would say, “Take two!”

Your place in my heart is real and lasting. I will always be connected to you.

We texted each other most mornings. Some of our last exchanges were: Me: “Forever is composed of nows.” (Emily Dickinson)

He wrote back, “Now you understand eternity.” 

His greatest victories were not on the playing field. When push comes to shove, they were found in his courage and resilience. There’s 2:38 left in the third quarter, Charlie. The Buckeyes are beating Michigan State 38-3 In your fourth quarter, you ran to the light. I picture you with Mom, Dad and all those you love, including your wonderful Irish Setter, Rip. I call that a win!

A Celebration of Life will be announced.

In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to the Wounded Warriors Project

PO Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516

In memory of Charlie, please do one simple act of kindness: pet your cat, walk your dog, buy someone a cup of coffee, pay someone a compliment. Make the world a better place as he did. Thank you. 

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.