Charles Stanley Morley, III

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved brother, Charles Stanley Morley III, who left us on August 12, 2024. He was 72 years old. After suffering a stroke on July 25th and despite the outstanding care of the staff of the ICU at St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach, Chuck passed peacefully surrounded by family.

Chuck, as he was fondly called by friends and family, was born on November 23, 1951 to Charles Stanley Morley, Jr and Eva (DiPaul) Morley in Trenton NJ. He grew up in both Edgewater Park NJ and Trenton, where he graduated from Trenton High School and went on to receive a BA in Accounting from Trenton State College (now The College of New Jersey). If you asked Chuck or his best friends Keith or Tony, not a one of them could offer a plausible explanation as to how he earned that degree. We think, based on the overwhelming evidence from his subsequent 50 years on the planet, that the answer to this conundrum was simple: good looks, charm, and genuine kindness.

To understand Chuck’s journey, you have to start with the fact that as the oldest, he blazed the trail for all of us through our sometimes difficult but always “interesting” childhood. When the marriage of Chet and ‘Va floundered, Chuck was thrust into adulthood, choosing to help guide and mentor some pretty recalcitrant children. We were always a little in awe of him because he was so extraordinarily physically talented. There wasn’t a sport he couldn’t master in what seemed to us to be only a couple of days. Despite these gifts, he never really seemed to know or acknowledge just how talented he was. Nor did he ever let his premature adult responsibilities (which precluded pursuit of any of these sports) ever raise in him even a hint of resentment. No, not Chuck. He splashed the canvas with only the brightest, most vibrant colors.

He did build a business where his physical talents combined with his good looks, charm, and kindness led to enormous success. His ballroom dancing studios in West Palm Beach and in Stuart FL not only attracted and retained a loyal clientele, it gave Chuck the opportunity to travel and compete in nearly every great venue around the world and on the seven seas. He generously shared his success with both Eva and Chet and his brother Joe who joined him in the venture.

It should be noted here that Chuck’s physical talents did not extend into the building trades or into automotive services. In both fields he brought new meaning to the term “jerry-rigging”. Watching him work on his house or on a car was an endless source of entertainment.

As an uncle, his nieces and nephews can swap stories about “bada-bing” and “fuggedaboutit” as well as the gold necklace pendants that included the “cornute” hand. His stepsons will tell stories of his love and support even after they no longer lived together. This was all Chuck all the time; charm, good looks, and kindness even when he was wrestling his own demons. He was an extraordinary talent who never really understood just how talented he was. Nevertheless, he loved us deeply and we will be forever grateful that he was the oldest child.

Chuck is survived by his stepsons, Max, Misha, and Anthony Russo; his brother Chris’ family, Michele (spouse), Jimmy and Meghan Morley; his sister Mary’s family, Marc (spouse) and Brian Fisher; his brother Joe’s family, Olivia, Wade, and Farrah Morley; his brother Bob’s family, Pauline (spouse) and Alex Morley; his sister Kelly’s family, Hector (spouse), Gavin and Noel Diaz. He leaves this family and his friends with a lifetime of colorful memories that will bring laughter even in the twenty-fifth retelling of one of the old stories.

A funeral service to celebrate his life will be held on Friday, August 16 at 11am in St. Ignatius Cathedral in Palm Beach Gardens, followed by a celebration of life reception in Family Hall immediately following. Rest in peace, our sweet, sweet brother. We love you and will miss you.