Charles J. Roth Jr., electrical engineer
On Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021, Charles J. Roth Jr., known to his friends as Charlie, passed into the loving arms of Jesus at the age of 92. Charlie was born to Charles Joseph and Therese Albany Roth in Northeast Philadelphia. He attended Northeast Catholic High School. Upon graduation he was accepted to Villanova University on a full scholarship and was in the first Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) graduating second in his class with a degree in electrical engineering.
While in college, he met Margaret (Peggy) Duffy and they married upon graduation. He then served in the U.S. Navy as a lieutenant stationed at Port Hueneme, Calif., and later the island of Guam where his SeaBees unit assisted in the reconstruction of the island after WWII during the Korean Conflict. After securing an honorable discharge from the Navy he moved back home to Philadelphia to be with his wife and near family. He joined the DuPont Company and, with Peggy, raised their four children living in Wilmington, leading them to be hardworking, honest and loving men. In his younger years he enjoyed taking “his boys” canoeing on the Brandywine River and in local ponds where they would fish and cook hotdogs over an open fire.
During his early years with DuPont, he earned an MBA from the University of Delaware and worked in the Textile Fibers Dacron Division finance department. He maintained his connection to the Navy, serving in the reserves and, upon retirement from DuPont, retired from the Navy with the rank of lieutenant commander.
Over the years he enjoyed going to the Delaware beach with his wife and family and, prior to retirement, purchased a small place outside Bethany Beach. During retirement, he moved to the Delaware beach, which he greatly enjoyed. He became active in Alcoholics Anonymous taking on a role as mentor and sponsor. He took great delight in visits from friends, neighbors and especially his nuclear and extended families.
Charlie is predeceased by his wife Margaret Cecelia Duffy Roth; his brother Richard David Roth of Wayne, Pa.; and special friend Ellen Washburn of Georgetown. He is survived by sons: Charles J. Roth III and Barbara of Falmouth, Maine, Michael J. Roth and Mary of Lewes, Bryan J. Roth and Kathryn of Newark, and Paul R. Roth and Catherine of Dublin, N.H.; eight grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Roseann Roth; and his nephews, nieces and their families.
His family is grateful for the wonderful care provided by the staff at Brandywine Living at Seaside Pointe in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware Hospice, and his dear friend Sky Brady.
Contributions in Charlie’s memory may be made to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.
Due to the current COVID-19 guidelines, Mass of Christian Burial and interment will be private at St. Joseph’s on the Brandywine, Greenville.
For online condolences, please visit Chandlerfuneralhome.com
