Charles “Chuck” C. Aquino, 81, of St. Augustine, Florida, formerly of Williamsville, New York died on January 26th 2014, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was the son of the late Joseph and Josephine Aquino.
Chuck was born on August 24, 1932 in Paterson, New Jersey and graduated from Eastside Paterson High School. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Education at William Paterson College, and a Master of Arts degree in Education from Montclair State University. He then served as a Navigator in the United States Air Force from 1954-1958, retiring with the rank of Captain. While serving in the Air Force Chuck was stationed in Nashville, TN where he married the former Jo Ann Walsh. Upon his return to New Jersey, Chuck taught history and business at River Dell High School in Oradell, NJ from 1958-1966.
After earning a Ph.D in Education in 1968 from Syracuse University, Chuck taught at Buffalo State College, first as Professor of Communication and Media, and later, as Professor of Journalism. He completed fellowships at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and the University of Indiana, Bloomington and, from 1966-1969, held a summer term visiting professorship at the University of Winnipeg, Manitoba. During two of his sabbaticals from Buffalo State, Chuck wrote for the Buffalo News and later, the St. Augustine Record.
During his Buffalo years Chuck participated in the Amherst Male Glee Club, organized the Uncle Charlie’s Ski Club and was a public relations consultant for the Clarence Public Schools, among other activities.
After retiring from Buffalo State in 1994, Chuck followed his dream of living by the ocean in St. Augustine, Florida. In his retirement years, Chuck enthusiastically sang with a number of choral groups, including the St. Augustine Community Chorus, The Big Orange Chorus of Jacksonville, and The Chancel Choir of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine, Florida. He loved the ocean, travelling, his daily 2 mile swims and 25 mile bike rides, debating with his friends in the Socrates Club, having a good laugh, and his beloved grandchildren.
Chuck is survived by his former wife, Jo Ann; daughters, Diane Aquino and Theresa (Robert) Fisk; sons, Christopher Aquino and Michael Aquino; and grandchildren, Jonathan, Abby and Ben Fisk, and Lyra, Owen and Eli Aquino.
Services will be private. Memorial Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or Lewy Body Dementia Association, Inc.
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