Charles Anthony Shields, age 50 of Slate Hill, NY, passed away on February 10, 2019 at Orange Regional Medical Center in the Town of Wallkill,.
He was born on July 5, 1968 in Goshen, NY. Charles worked as a Teaching Assistant at Orange-Ulster BOCES in Goshen, NY as well as the YMCA Kid’s Club in Orange County.
Charles’s calling in life came in the form of working with special needs children. He continuously went the extra mile to ensure a smile on a child’s face and make them feel special. He was known for his giving nature, kind spirit, and big heart. He had a passion for fishing and loved being in the sun. Laying on a beach chair on the sunniest and hottest day possible with his toes in the sand was his idea of the perfect day. Charles was also a huge Yankees fan, loved his stylish sneakers, and to the delight of children and his family he was the best Santa Claus every Christmas Eve!
Survivors include his mother, Margaret A. Iorlano Haible of Maybrook; wife, Karen A. Wiegand of Slate Hill, NY; daughters, Ashley Morales and Samantha Wiegand of Slate Hill,; brothers, Dennis Shields of Maybrook, and Theodore Haible of Newburgh, NY; grandchildren, Robberto and Noah; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces & nephews including Jaxon. Charles was predeceased by his step-father, Walter Haible.
A memorial visitation will be held on Friday, February 22 from 9 - 11 a.m. at the Gridley-Horan Funeral Home, 39 Orchard St. Walden. Services will be held at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Entombment of ashes will follow immediately in the Cedar Hill Mausoleum, Newburgh,.
A memorial mass will be offered at 10 a.m. on Saturday, February 23 at the Church of the Assumption, Maybrook.
Memorial contributions may be made in Charles’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Gridley-Horan Funeral Home, Inc.