Charles W. Slater

Middleburgh – We achieve many titles throughout our lives.  Husband, father, brother, uncle, businessman, Board member, even former Mayor are all held by Charles W. Slater, who died peacefully on Monday, January 13, 2020 at the Holiday at the Atrium in Glenville.

Born in Middleburgh on July 5, 1939 to the late Julia (Wood) and Warren Slater, Charlie graduated from Middleburgh Central School and enlisted in the United States Army.  He served from 1958 until 1960 and was trained as a sharpshooter, but found camaraderie with the foe, trading cigarettes for beer. 

He returned home and married a beautiful young girl named Joyce (Teller) on September 16, 1961 and set about growing their life and their family together.  He owned Schoharie Valley Laundry in Middleburgh for many years, keeping linens and the like sparkling and fresh, with Joyce at his side.

His devotion to the community was unmatched, serving on the Board of the Middleburgh Library, a member of the Middleburgh Rotary Club, the Cobleskill Masonic and Elks Lodges and serving as Middleburgh’s Mayor, when he spear-headed the waste water treatment plant construction and renovations and improvements to the Village pool, among others.

Charlie and Joyce were also long-time members of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church and the Middleburgh Reformed Church.

He loved the outdoors, whether hunting, fishing off the docks at their winter retreat in Ft. Pierce, Florida with his deep-sea pole or cruising in one of his classics, a 1984 Cadillac and Joyce’s bright red 1958 MGA Roadster.  He also loved tending to his home, working in his garden and never missed coffee, conversation and local news at the Middleburgh Diner or M&J’s Café, nor did he pass up a good fireworks display.  Their sparkle was akin to the same sparkle in his own eyes.  They glistened when he grinned and you just knew there was a hint of the devil and fun brewing.

Charlie was predeceased not only by his parents, but also by his sister and brother-in-law: Joan and Christian (Chris) Nunamann.

Cherishing his love forever are his wife, Joyce Slater of Middleburgh and recently Glenville; his daughters: Denise Slater-Mau (Patrick Mooney) and Deanne Slater-Johnson, both of Pattersonville; his grandchildren: William (Jessica) Mau of Rotterdam, Alexander (Rachel) Mau of Scotia, Erick (Kelly) Mau of Rotterdam, Elizabeth Johnson and Elayna Johnson, both of Pattersonville; great-grandchildren: Lincoln Mau, Harper Mau and Grayson Mau; nephews: Dale (Donna) Nunamann, Dean (Allison) Nunamann, Todd (Denise) Nunamann and their families.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00PM on Saturday, January 18, 2020 at Coltrain Funeral Home, LLC, 134 River Street, Middleburgh with Pastor Jeffrey Kelley officiating. Spring interment will be in Middleburgh Cemetery. All are invited to visit with the family from 12:00-1:00PM on Saturday, prior to the funeral.

Memorial donations in Charlie’s honor are asked to be sent to the Middleburgh Youth Commission, PO Box 789, Middleburgh, NY 12122 or to the Middleburgh Library, PO Box 670, Middleburgh, NY 12122

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