Charles Veasey Jr.

Charles J Veasey Jr. 86 beloved husband of Annette Veasey and longtime resident of Southampton, NJ passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 5, 2022. Charles was born on February 9th, 1935 to the late Sophia and Charles Veasey Sr. in Philadelphia, PA. His nickname of Chick came from his father who boxed under the name Chick Weasey in the Navy. Chick grew up in South Philly, playing sports, participating in the Mummers Parade, and was an avid Philadelphia sports fan. Although he left South Philly, his love of the city never left him. Chick graduated from South Catholic High School in 1953.

Upon graduation, Chick was offered a scholarship to art school for drafting, but turned it down in order to enlist in the United States Marine Corp. Chick loved the Marine Corp. and served from 1954 until he was honorably discharged in 1957. Chick went through boot camp at Parris Island, SC and went to SNP training in California. Chick served during the Korean War and was stationed in both Korea and in Okinawa, Japan. Later in his life, Chick joined the Marine Corp. League and Military Order of the Devil Dogs and served as Chaplain of his local division.

Chick was very blessed in life with two loving marriages. He met his late wife Margaret “Cookie” Cooker in high school and they married in 1955 during his time of military

service. Chick left the military to start his life as a family man and worked for many years as a forklift operator for the Pepsi Cola Company in Philadelphia. As their family began to grow with their son Charles III and daughter Suzanne, they moved out of Philadelphia to Fairview Manor in Camden, NJ. They moved in 1968 to Heritage Village in Marlton, NJ. Chick lived in Marlton for 36 years.

Chick brought to Marlton his love of sports and community. He volunteered for Marlton recreation council, coaching basketball, baseball, and football. He played on the “Dudes” Mens softball league team as a catcher. He was proud to coach the 85 lb. “Big Red” football team to multiple championships in the early 70’s with friends Hal Alford, Bill Harper Jr. and other coaches. Chick also was a proud supporter of Holy Cross High School.

In the early 70’s, when his wife Cookie became ill, Chick needed to spend more time at home. It was during this time that Chick changed his side hobby of designing and creating Mummers Costumes into a full-time business. They created “Chick and Cookie Costumers”. This business later became “Images” with Annette and the late Bob Finnegan. They were successful in the design and production of numerous award-winning String Band and Fancy Brigade Clubs’ costumes.

After the death of his first wife in 1983, Chick met Annette Guarino at a family barbeque and they were married in 1984. When they married, Chick experienced the joy of growing his family with the addition of Annette’s children Carol, Joe, Jerry, VIto, and John. Annette and Chick loved to travel, dance, dine out, socialize, and take long car rides. Chick was very proud to be Pop-Pop to Heather, Stephanie, Ashley, Lauren, Lee, Charles IV, Andrew, Anna Rose, Megan, Michael, Ryan, Tavio, Zack, and Samantha. Chick and Annette relocated to Leisuretowne in 2004 and enjoyed 18 wonderful years together in the community.

Chick's love of the Mummers never left him. He was parading, making Mummers dolls, and designing and making costumes for his entire life. He was a founding member of the Satin Slipper NYB in 1958 and was the first captain for eight years. During Chick’s lifetime, he marched in the Comics, Fancy, and Brigade Divisions. Chick marched with Hog Island, Oregon, and Golden Sunrise Clubs. He also founded the group known as “The Marlton Mummers”, a group of family and friends who competed in the juvenile, trio clown, and trio jockey divisions. Chick competed primarily in the Handsome Costume division in his later years.

He is survived by his devoted wife Annette (Florio) Veasey; his son Charles Veasey III (Geralyn) and his daughter Suzanne Goldschmidt (Allen); his step-children Carol Powell (Scott), Joseph Guarino (Sondra), Jerry Guarino (Cynthia), Vito Guarino, and John Guarino (Toni); his sisters Rose Marie (Veasey) Harper and Dolores (Veasey) Kubiak; 14 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren; as well as many in-laws, family members, and friends.

Chick was preceded in death by his parents Charles Veasey Sr. and Sophia (Kwasizur) Veasey; his sister Kathleen (Veasey) Byrd and his wife Margaret (Cooker) Veasey.

Relatives and friends are invited to greet the family on Tuesday, January 11th, 2022 from 10:00am to 11:00am at Church of the Holy Eucharist, 520 Medford Lakes Road, Tabernacle, NJ 08088. A Funeral Mass will follow at 11:00am. Interment will be private.  (The family requests that follow COVID 19 protocol!)

In lieu of flowers or other expressions of sympathy the family requests donations be made to Samaritan Hospice, 3906 Church Road, Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054 (https://samaritannj.org) or Alzheimer's Association, 3 Eves Drive, Suite 310, Marlton, NJ 08053.  (https://www.alz.org).  (www.BradleyStow.com) 

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