Charles R. “Chas” Gulick, 93, of Easton, died Sunday, April 23, 2017 in his home.
Born September 3, 1923 in Phillipsburg, NJ, he was a son of the late Charles S. and Ruth (Fahs) Gulick. He and his wife, Evelyn “Evie” (Bellis) Gulick were married 67 years.
Chas graduated from Phillipsburg High School in 1941, and was an active member of his class reunion committee. He was a proud Army Veteran, serving during WWII.
Chas was a reporter and editor for the then Easton Express for 23 years. During his tenure there, he wrote numerous stories and headlines, covered the 1955 Easton flood in a rowboat and was selected by the paper to cover JFK’s funeral in 1963. He then worked as an editor for the Morning Call for 16 years, and for the Journal of Commerce in Phillipsburg, NJ for 10 years.
Chas was a true wordsmith, and used his amazing talent to write press releases for Chansonnette Theatre and Two Rivers Area Commerce Council. He co-wrote the Bicentennial Pageant in Easton in 1976, which was the forerunner of Easton’s Heritage Day. Chas also recorded several radio ads for WEST.
In 1946, Chas joined the Easton Express Glee Club. The group merged with the Easton Player’s Guild in 1948 to form Chansonnette Theatre. It was there he met Evie, and they both became charter members of Chansonnette. Chas went on to perform in over 50 Chansonnette productions. His favorite roles were FDR in “Annie”, and Mayor Shinn in “The Music Man”. Chas also worked behind the scenes at Chansonnette, selling ads, tickets, ushering and painting sets. He loved performing in Chansonnette’s small shows at local nursing homes throughout the Valley. Chas lent his beautiful baritone voice in these shows to “If Ever I Would Leave You” from Camelot, and loved singing the duet “I Remember It Well” from Gigi with his dear friend, Jean McClay.
He was a member of the former Olivet Presbyterian Church, Easton where he loved singing in the church choir. Most recently, he was a member of First Moravian Church, Easton.
Chas’s rapier wit and sense of humor were legendary. He found the humor in everyday life, and never took himself too seriously. His vast encyclopedic knowledge made him men’s team leader of many late night Trivial Pursuit games, and made him the “answer guy” for any questions regarding Easton, the Lehigh Valley and trivia in general. He loved crossword puzzles, opera, Nestle Crunch bars and was a lifelong Philadelphia Phillies fan.
However, Chas’s greatest role was husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was affectionately known as Dad, Pappy or Pappy Chas by children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren alike as well as many family friends.
He is lovingly missed by his wife, Evelyn “Evie”, his two daughters, Donna Giobbi and her husband, Herb of Arlington, VA and Angel Gulick of Easton, a son, Mark R. Gulick and his wife, Rhonda of Whitehall, his 6 grandchildren Shannon, Matthew, Ashley, Amanda, Jared and Ben, and 3 great grandchildren, Lauren, Jayden and Savana. His brother, Robert F. Gulick died earlier.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, April 28, 2017 in First Moravian Church, 225 N. 10th St., Easton. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to Lehigh Valley Hospice, 2024 Lehigh St., Suite 100, Allentown, PA 18103. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.
Susan Jarrell
April 25, 2017 at 12:02 am
Dear Evie, Donna, Angel & family,
I am so very sorry about Charlie and I am so glad I got to talk to him before he passed. He sounded wonderful and I will treasure all the fun times in choir and traveling to Matt’s house for either a picnic or a Christmas Party. He admired my driving and told me that I was a very good driver. He was my front seat driver while the ladies sat in the back.
I know I will see you again and you will be this one good looking man that Evie has always bragged about and praised. She will miss you and I promise that I will keep in touch with her to check up on her, cause I know you would want me too.
Godspeed my good friend, until I see you again and hear that wonderful voice of yours. Sing to the angels.
David Eichman
April 25, 2017 at 6:21 am
Evie, so sorry to hear of your loss.
Emily Schiller
April 25, 2017 at 12:26 pm
I’m so sorry for your loss. May you find comfort in the words
of our Heavenly Father in 2 Corinthains 1:3,4 and remember
the hope of the fulfillment of His promise in Acts 24:15 of the
resurrection. With my sincere condolences.
Joseph A Mercado
April 25, 2017 at 9:26 pm
Dear Evie and Family, I am so sorry for your loss. As I have told you and Angel both, there simply are no words. I am so grateful to have been blessed with the honor of knowing Charles. I will miss him always commenting on what a beautiful day it was. The simple little things we seem to take for granted, Charles always took a moment to appreciate. I will miss his warm smile and miss hearing some of his incredible stories. One of my fondest memories of Charles was the honor of driving him in the Doo Dah Parade as he sat proud as a peacock in the passenger seat. The smile on his face showed his pride in his accomplishment with the theater. May you all find comfort in knowing he is at peace.
Diane Geehr Kenerup
April 26, 2017 at 12:33 pm
So sorry to read about Charlie. Charlie and Evie have been names in my family since they started Chansonette. Gee, time does fly. Hope the rest of you are well.
Peggy Knecht
April 26, 2017 at 6:12 pm
Evie, Angel, and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Charlie was one of the first people that I met when I was in Chansonnette. I am deeply grieved to hear of this. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Peggy
Mary Cresseveur Reed
April 27, 2017 at 8:20 pm
We are so sorry for your loss. We will hold you in our thoughts.
Pam Kelber
April 28, 2017 at 8:52 am
My most heart felt condolences go out to Angel Gulick and family. Although I never met Chas personally I was constantly regaled with stories about him told through Angel. I felt I got to know him vicariously b
all her wonderfully funny anecdotes. I know he will be greatly missed.
John Mamone
June 18, 2017 at 4:51 am
Dear Evie,
My condolences to you and your family. It was an honor to have known Charlie when I lived in Easton. His intelligence, wit, humor and his dedication to the city and to the woman he loved were an inspiration. Though I live far away in Spain and in Mexico, my thoughts and my heart are with you.
Sincerely,
John Mamone
Savana Ofray
February 26, 2024 at 7:32 am
I miss you pappy. I wish I had more time with you. I hope you’re happy and safe wherever you are. <3