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Charles A. Haddad, 87, of Boyertown, died December 23. He was born June 3, 1936, and the son of Alfred and Pauline (Charles) Haddad. He was a member of the Class of 1954 at Boyertown High School and went on to graduate from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania in 1958. After college, he attended U.S. Army Infantry Officer’s school at Fort Benning (now Fort Moore), Georgia. He was a captain in the U.S. Army Reserves until 1966, when he also graduated from Villanova University Law School.
He was an Assistant District Attorney for Arlen Spector in Philadelphia for eight years before serving as First Assistant District Attorney for Berks County. After two years of private practice, he founded Ocello, Inc., a textile manufacturing company with his sister, Afifie Haddad, where he was owner-operator until 2005.
Charles was always active in the community, believing strongly in giving back to the town that gave so much to his family. His father emigrated by himself from Beirut, Lebanon at the age of 16 and his mother emigrated from Syria at age 11 with her family. Their last name and food culture stuck out in Pennsylvania Dutch Country, but they were made to feel welcome by the community and the congregation at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Boyertown.
He was a current member of the Boyertown Rotary Club, serving as past president and chairing three projects to benefit Boyertown Community Park. Charles was a charter member and past president of Building a Better Boyertown, a Pennsylvania Main Street Program, which completed a streetscape along East Philadelphia Ave in Boyertown. He also was a charter member, past board president and current board member of the group that restored the 1912 State Theater that now operates the nonprofit, Boyertown State Theater, in addition to being a charter board member of the General Carl Spaatz National USAAF Museum. He served on the Pottstown Health and Wellness Foundation and was also a lifelong member of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, former president of its Church Council and current volunteer wherever needed.
Next to community service, perhaps nothing was dearer to Charles than family. He was married to his beloved wife Mary-Lou (Trout) Haddad for 62 years before her passing in December 2020. He had three children: Jeffrey Haddad (Agnes), Martha Haddad Ketcham (Greg) and Philip Haddad, along with 5 grandchildren: Gabrielle Haddad-Weiser (Philip), Tyler Haddad, Lily Haddad, Sarah Ketcham and Hannah Ketcham and one great-grandchild, Coralie Haddad-Weiser. One of five children, Charles is survived by two sisters, Thelma (Haddad) Unger and Barbara (Haddad) Romesburg and was pre-deceased by sister Afifie Haddad and brother George R. Haddad. He also has numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services will be held at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church 45 North Reading Ave. Boyertown, PA. 19512. on Saturday December 30, 2023 at 11:00 AM.
Family and Friends may call at church on Saturday from 9:00 am to 11:00 PM.
Interment will be private at the convenience of the family.
Memorials in his name, if desired, can be made to any one of the community organizations above that were so cherished by him.
Arrangements by the Linwood W. Ott Funeral Home, Inc. 111 North Reading Ave. Boyertown, PA. 19512.
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