Charles Samuel Moorby was born on December 14 ^th , 1920 in Philadelphia, PA. Originally his family lived in South Philadelphia, but when he was very young, they moved to Oaklyn, NJ. This is where he spent most of his youth. He attended Collingswood High School where he met the woman he would eventually marry, Kathryn (Moffitt). Their first date was the Senior Prom! They both graduated high school in 1938.

After high school Charles began employment as an Office Boy in the Executive Department of the Atlantic Refining Company in Philadelphia. In June of 1941, Charles received a Certificate in Creative Salesmanship from the Charles Morris Price School of Advertising & Salesmanship. It's also been noted that he attended the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business during this period at some point as well.

Shortly after World War II broke out, he enlisted in the United States Coast Guard on Dec. 21 ^st , 1941. He entered as a Yeoman 2 ^nd class, due to his previous clerical experience. He initially worked in the Coast Guard Recruiting Office in Philadelphia. He was later sent to a new Recruiting Office in Hazelton, PA for about 6 months. While stationed in Hazelton, PA, he married his high school sweetheart, Kathryn E. Moffitt on May 30 ^th , 1942 at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Oaklyn, NJ. They spent the week following on honeymoon in Atlantic City, NJ (Jefferson Hotel) and Hazleton, PA (Altamont Hotel). His next position would be back in Philadelphia. Upon completion of competitive exams, he was accepted into the Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT for Officer training. While there, he participated in a 4-month training period on a Square Rigger Sailing vessel called The Danmark, which was a war prize from Denmark. After training he was sent to Duluth, MN to be the Yeoman on a new ship called The Sagebrush. It was an all-purpose cargo ship, ice breaker, and buoy tender. The ship then sailed to San Juan, Puerto Rico, which became its home port. This ship serviced the Caribbean and South Atlantic. He served 18 months on that ship. Once the war was over, he was sent to work in a discharge center back in the States. He was honorably discharged as Yeoman 1 ^st class on November 8 ^th , 1945.

After his tour of duty, he began employment alongside his father at Berger's Flowers in Philadelphia. He was primarily the Office Manager, but also did some floral arranging. In 1958 his father Charles W. Moorby Jr., brother Edward J. Moorby and himself decided to buy that business. They changed the name to Moorby, Inc. Flowers. In the evenings, Charles attended Rutgers University and eventually earned a Certificate in Business Administration. He and his relatives worked at Moorby, Inc. Flowers for about 20 years (approx. 1966), until his father retired, and they closed the business. His next job as an Office Manager would be a few doors down on the same street at Samuel T. Freeman & Co. Auctioneers. He worked there from 1968-1971. Eventually he decided to become a Realtor in 1971, working at Bob Pritchett Real Estate in Haddon Heights, NJ as a Broker Salesman. He was even inducted into the NJ Association of Realtors Million Dollar Sales Club for successfully settling the largest sale in company history (1971-1980), a 60-unit motel off of the NJ Turnpike. During his 36-year real estate career (1971-2007), Charles worked for several firms as a Broker Salesman and Manager: Maffucci, Hoopes, Inc., Borden, and Weichert Realty. He continued to work at Weichert until he was about 80 years old! He was also a Rotarian for many years where he eventually became the 25 ^th President of the Haddon Heights Chapter (1969-1970). Additionally, he was a member of the American Legion, Delaware River Power Squadron, Haddon Heights Lodge 191 F&AM, and the Excelsior Consistory and the Crescent Temple AAONMS.

In his downtime, Charles always loved boating. His training on a square rigger in the Coast Guard definitely fueled his passion for it! The first boat that he bought was in 1946, a Wood Pussy Sailboat he named CHAL KAY because he enjoyed sailing it with his wife so much. Eventually the boat was lost in a storm on Toms River. In the 1960's he bought a 17ft. Traveler (Sears) outboard motorboat. Over the years he owned both power and sailboats. He took his family on various weekends and vacations to Toms River, Maryland, Cape Cod & Florida, where everyone boated. He taught his daughter Pam how to sail on Toms River and encouraged his son Scott to learn to sail, enjoy boating and water sports as well. After many years of renting the same summer home in Bayville, NJ on Toms River, he and his son eventually bought it as their own vacation/rental property. Lots of wonderful memories were made there with his family and many others. It was an ideal location for boating and water sports of all kinds. Charles passed down his passion for boating and his love for the water to his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren!

After the death of his wife, February 1994, Charles was truly lost. He eventually joined a Widows and Widowers support group. This organization held various dances throughout the year for social interaction. Attending these dances revived his love for dancing. He always enjoyed dancing and was very talented. Through the advice of a dear friend, he decided to become a Gentleman Dance Host for Holland America Cruise Line. He worked on about 8 cruises, sailing on the Caribbean, Pacific, North Atlantic, and the Mississippi River. While doing this job, he met lots of interesting people and got to travel all over the world, which was another passion of his.

Charles lived in the same house in Haddon Heights, NJ for over 60 years (1954 – 2018)! After acquiring the property in an auction, he had the house built to his specifications back in 1954. He and his wife Kay raised their 2 children (Scott & Pam) there. It is still the family homestead. He truly loved that house!

Charles has always been talented in woodworking and painting. He personally built 3 boats: 2 prams and one Duster Sailboat, even including the mast! When his house was built, the lower level was unfinished. He did some of the work to make it into an apartment for his in-laws. He also enclosed a patio on the side of his home, making it into a screened porch. Years later, he had it enclosed to become his family/TV room. He has also done a lot of interior and exterior house painting, both as a job and for his own benefit. A true craftsman!

Charles Samuel Moorby was the husband of the late Kathryn E. (Moffitt) Moorby for 52 years and brother to Edward J. and Donald W. Moorby. He is survived by his two children: Scott C. Moorby and Pamela K. Hacker; his five grandchildren: Kristen Moorby-Haworth, Scott Moorby Jr, Kathryn Orchard, Evan Hacker and Alex Hacker; and two great grandchildren: Mason and Reed Hacker.

Let's Celebrate the Wonderful Life of Charles S. Moorby! Please join us for an Open House on Saturday, February 29th, 2020 from 2pm-5pm at his residence in Haddon Heights, NJ. Please reach out to the family to RSVP and for address details.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Coast Guard Mutual Assistance . Please note " In honor of Charles S. Moorby " with your gift.

Coast Guard Mutual Assistance
1005 North Glebe Road, Suite 220
Arlington, VA 22201

Or click here to make a gift securely online. www.cgmahq.org