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302-478-7100 Wilmington & Hockessin, DE

Charles F. Gummey Jr.

Charles F. Gummey Jr., 79, of Mendenhall, PA passed away peacefully at home on December 23, 2020, surrounded by family and supported by his many friends. Charlie was born in Bryn Mawr, PA in 1941 to Eleanor Clark and C. Francis Gummey. He spent his childhood in Gwynedd Valley, PA before attending Chestnut Hill Academy, Westminster School, and Washington and Lee University (W&L).

 

Charlie worked at the Wilmington Trust Company for 43 years, retiring in 2006 as a Vice President and Managing Director in the Trust Department. In retirement, Charlie served as Secretary of the Marmot Foundation, as well as a consultant for Wilmington Trust. Charlie was also active in many local organizations and understood the importance of giving back to the community. At various times he served on the board as both president and trustee for the Boys and Girls Club of Delaware, the Wilmington Club, the Delaware Chapter of Ducks Unlimited, Tower Hill School, and Delaware Wildlands.

 

Charlie’s dedication to service was recognized through a series of awards including the Brandywine Association of Fundraising Professionals Award, the Bank of America Local Hero Award, and the Association of Fundraising Professionals Philanthropy Day Lifetime Achievement Award. Additionally he received an honorary degree from Tower Hill School along with the school’s Founders’ Achievement Award.

 

An avid outdoorsman and gifted athlete, Charlie enjoyed hunting, fishing, maintaining his Pennsylvania property, and coaching his children and grandchildren in all sports. He also spent several summers on the coaching staff of the Grand Slam Diamonds, a local baseball team for college and professional bound players. While at Washington and Lee, Charlie received honorable mention All-American recognition in both football and lacrosse and was inducted into the W&L Athletic Hall of Fame. Charlie was a constant fixture at University of Delaware football and baseball games and spent countless hours on the Tower Hill athletic fields watching his children and grandchildren compete for the Hillers.

A wonderfully loyal and life-long friend to many, Charlie is survived by his wife of 56 years, Winkie Fairman Gummey, of Mendenhall, PA, his two children Lea Gummey (Steve Quimby) of Yorklyn, DE, and Michael Gummey (Stacey) of Mendenhall, PA, four grandchildren, and sister Meg Lenher of Powhatan, VA.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Delaware Wildlands (315 Main St. Odessa, DE  19730) or the Boys and Girls Club of Delaware (669 S. Union St. Wilmington, DE  19805)

Funeral Services

Service and burial will be private.

Condolences

    Madalyn Schultz Petit writes,
    Dear Lee and family, I am very sorry to hear about the passing of your father. I will remember him as a kind and considerate gentleman. I wish I had known about his love of the outdoors. I would’ve enjoyed conversing with him about fishing, hunting and nature. Sending prayers, Madalyn
    12/27/2020 01:26 am
    Laureen Eick-Benson lit a candle and writes,
    I have cared for many people in my 40 years in health care. Mr. Gummey will be one I’ll always remember. It was an honor to meet him.
    12/27/2020 09:10 am
    Thomas George Hughes lit a candle and writes,
    Dear Gummey and Quimby family, I am sorry to hear about Charlie's passing. He was a wonderful man and great supporter of his family. He always had a willingness to help and listen to you. I still remember our time at Steve Hyde's house in Canada. My mother was a former trustee for the girls club and I always loved that Charlie had that similar connection with the boys club. Sincerely, Tommy Hughes
    12/27/2020 10:55 am
    Stacy Palmer writes,
    My deepest and heartfelt sympathy to Charlie's family. He was always so kind, thoughtful and selfless -- may you celebrate his life with memories of all the goodness he brought to so many people. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Charlie will always be remembered with love. ~~ Stacy
    12/27/2020 12:10 pm
    William B. SOWDEN 111 lit a candle and writes,
    I was so sorry to hear of Charlie's passing. He was a colleague of mine at Wilmington Trust. I always enjoyed his company especially when he would ask me to join him for lunch at the Wilmington Club. It was there that we discovered we both liked ice cream cones with orange ice and chocolate ice cream but the chocolate must be on the bottom. My thoughts and prayers to Winkie and his children.
    12/27/2020 12:49 pm
    Bix Bush writes,
    We were so sorry to read about Charlie's passing...We will miss our visits in Maine...He was a great friend to our family. Love to the Gummey and Quimby families...We know there will be plenty of memories shared as time passes..We send our love and prayers to all. Charlie was a great friend....
    12/27/2020 12:58 pm
    John Long lit a candle and writes,
    Dear Winkie, We just learned of Charlie's passing and our thoughts are with you and your family. Charlie was the epitome of what the Irish mean when they say, "He was a Good Man". John & Alice Long
    12/27/2020 01:21 pm
    Jeff Kaczmarczyk lit a candle and writes,
    Sincerest condolences from the Kaczmarczyk family. Charlie was such a good man who impacted my family personally. Besides being a good friend, Charlie helped both me and my son in our professional careers immensely. He will be sadly missed but we will remember him fondly.
    12/28/2020 09:56 am
    Peter T MacGaffin lit a candle and writes,
    Charlie was a friend a mentor and a confidante of so many. Charlie was always there for me when ever I needed help or advice. You could always count on Charlie Gummey no matter what the situation or the circumstances. Charles F Gummey simply was The Best. Rest In Peace Big Guy.
    12/28/2020 01:21 pm
    Dan Flynn lit a candle and writes,
    My sincere condolences to the Gummeys and Quimbys. Charlie was a larger than life figure and made an impact on so many people. He was kind and curious and always interested in learning about what was going on with me in my life. I looked up to him with adoring respect, and I always appreciated the support he offered me - first as a teenager at THS and then throughout the rest of my life. Every encounter was memorable.
    12/29/2020 12:10 pm
    Tiffany Thornhill lit a candle and writes,
    Our hearts are with the Gummey family. We were so sad to hear of your loss. I have come to know Stacey and Michael’s wonderful family through Stacey’s school. They are an example in kindness and generosity and I know Charles was a large influence. His living legacy is beautiful.
    12/30/2020 09:18 am
    Mary C. Wiggin writes,
    Mrs Gummey, Lea, Michael, and family, I will always remember after a sleepover with Lea where we stayed up late causing mischief and acting like silly school-aged girls, Mr Gummey was ready for us the next morning. In his booming voice he said, "OK, Lea, time to go out and dig rocks out of the garden." Lea replied, "But, dad, I have company." to which he retorted, "Well, she can help too." Mr Gummey was easily my favorite dad of all my friends' dad's. We laughed about that memory for many years thereafter. I enjoyed his good humor and strong work ethic. He will be sorely missed and my heart goes out to all of you. So, Gummey family, if you ever need a hand in the garden, please call on me. Fondly, Mary
    12/30/2020 12:45 pm
    Mary C. Wiggin writes,
    Mrs Gummey, Lea, Michael, and family, I will always remember after a sleepover with Lea where we stayed up late causing mischief and acting like silly school-aged girls, Mr Gummey was ready for us the next morning. In his booming voice he said, "OK, Lea, time to go out and dig rocks out of the garden." Lea replied, "But, dad, I have company." to which he retorted, "Well, she can help too." Mr Gummey was easily my favorite dad of all my friends' dads. We laughed about that memory for many years thereafter. I enjoyed his good humor and strong work ethic. He will be sorely missed, and my heart goes out to all of you. So, Gummey family, if you ever need a hand in the garden, please call on me. Fondly, Mary
    12/30/2020 12:51 pm
    Elisabeth A Blair (Betty) writes,
    I am very sorry to hear about Charlie's passing. He and I were colleagues at Wilmington Trust. We also shared the bond that our daughters played against each other in high school sports. He would call me on the day of a game to see if I was attending. Lea (Patty and I are sorry for the loss of your Dad). Winkie- I believe we met at least once on the sidelines. Charlie was a very nice man. I am so sorry for your loss. Betty Blair
    01/02/2021 10:44 am
    SCOTT LUGAR writes,
    My thoughts with all of you. Gummey was a great man and I enjoyed many fishing trips with him to the Bog. He will be missed but we all have such great memories and stories from him.
    01/04/2021 12:06 pm
    matthew lynch writes,
    Winkie, kids and grandkids, I am very sorry for your loss. I worked with Charlie for many years at Wilmington Trust. Whenever we needed to meet or talk I knew that I had to set aside at least 30 minutes. We would spend 5 minutes discussing whatever we needed to discuss since he was, shall we say, a very clear communicator, and 25 minutes telling each other stories. His stories were always way better than my stories. That time together was always a good part of my day. I also often sought out his invaluable advice about raising money for non-profits that I was involved with and he routinely gave me leads that helped me raise the money that I needed. And, of course, I often bought Christmas trees from him at the Boys and Girls club lot in the cold, rain and the snow with his grandsons working at his side. Delaware has lost a valuable resource, but I know you have lost a terrific husband, dad and grandfather. Thanks for sharing him with us.
    01/05/2021 02:31 pm
    Kasa Lowndes Cotugno writes,
    I remember when Charlie first met Winkie and their immediate connection. They were the true definition of a power couple in the sense that power means love and devotion and humor, qualities that are rare. Best of love to Winkie and all the family.
    01/23/2021 11:31 pm
    Rob McCreary lit a candle and writes,
    I am very sorry to hear about Charlie's passing. My sincere condolences to the Gummey family. I wish that I had the opportunity to get to know Charlie better, but I am grateful to have met him. I too, was able to gain his invaluable advice about managing and fundraising for the nonprofit I am involved with, and I know that Charlie was generous in helping other folks in this way. My wife and I would see him at the Boys and Girls Club on Union Street when we bought our Christmas tree each year! He will be remembered as kind, generous, devoted to family, smart, and with a love for life itself.
    01/26/2021 08:54 am
    Sara Bush lit a candle and writes,
    Lea and family, I am so very sorry for the loss of your dear father/grandfather. May you all bask in the warmth of many happy and cherished memories you have of him. With love and sympathy, Sara Bush
    01/26/2021 03:27 pm
    Talley Brown writes,
    Dear Mrs. Gummey, As a member of your Pre-Kindergarden class, I have always loved you dearly. I am so sorry to hear of your beloved husband's passing. I remember when you first became pregnant with your eldest child. My Grandmother knitted you that baby outfit. You were just a newly-wed then. How time has flown. I cannot begin to imagine what it is like for you to lose Charlie. I can only hope and pray that he is still with you in loving spirit every day, holding you close and whispering sweet nothings in your ears. Love you! Talley
    01/28/2021 05:33 pm
    Jenifer Gummey Gajdalo writes,
    My condolences to the Gummey family. Our families were not close as my sister, Libbie, brother, Topper(Frank Bird Gummey III) and I were growing up in Gladwyne, PA. Cousin Ellie and my mother, Ginnie, had both been widowed at young ages. I remember meeting at a holiday time in Philadelphia for lunch and a movie or theater matinee. A friend of one of my daughters saw the obituary and called my daughter since she assumed it must be a relative. It sounded as though Charlie had a full life. He obviously enjoyed his family, was engaged in community activities and had a lifetime enjoyment of his friends and sports.
    02/28/2021 05:35 pm
    Anne L O’Leary lit a candle and writes,
    Having just heard of the passing of Ruly Carpenter, it reminded me of Charlie. I was his secretary in the early 70s with Jack Garrett, Dick Dobbs, Walter Patton. The one thing I remembered about that time was the “mystery on Kennett Pike” when there were lots of dead crows lining Kennett Pike and no one knew where they came from. Charlie knew and we figured it out. RIP both of you guys 🤧
    09/14/2021 08:01 pm

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