01/26/2022
Deacon Charles W. DeGroat, Esq., - Charlie, Passed away peacefully in his sleep on 1-25-2022, at the age of 92.
Charlie is survived by his three children, Charles & Arline DeGroat of West Linn OR, Stephen DeGroat of Nyack NY, and Kathleen & John Benz of Pine Bush NY; his grandchildren, Christopher, Phillip, Michael, Gregory, Matthew, & Nicole DeGroat, as well as Nicholas, and Jessica Benz; . He is also survived by his sister, Mary Jo Carlon of Poughkeepsie NY, and many great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. He is preceded in death by his brothers, James DeGroat, and Edward DeGroat, and his sister Ann Herfurth.
Charlie was born on June 17, 1929 in Oneonta NY, to Marguerite and Charles W. DeGroat, Sr. He graduated from Nyack High School in the summer of 1948. He then went on to attend his lifelong dream, Manhattan College, where he graduated in 1952 with a Business Admin. Degree. He gave this success to Father Fitzsimmons of St. Ann's Church, who supported him in obtaining his acceptance to this prestigious school. He then went on to Fordham Law school, where he graduated with a Law Degree in 1955. On May 4th, 1952, he also married his sweetheart, Rose T. Costantino, of West Haverstraw NY.
After Graduating from Fordham Law, Charlie became a very success attorney, and opened a law office in West Haverstraw, NY. He served as the West Haverstraw Village Attorney for over 30 years, with Rose by his side as his Para Legal. Charlie also believed in volunteering to further help the community. So he became a member of SW Johnson volunteer fire dept. in Garnerville NY, where he became a life member with over 40 years of service. During this time, he and Rose lived in South Nyack NY, where they raised their three children, and were married for over 55 years, before her passing in Nov., of 2007. Charles established a reading room in her Honor at St Thomas Aquinas college, located in main library.
Charles was also devout Catholic, and this faith, lead him to further his education, and at age 71, he entered St Joseph’s Seminary. He graduated St. Joseph’s in 2004 with a master’s degree in Religious Studies and was ordained by Cardinal Egan at St Patrick’s Cathedral. He became a Catholic Deacon at both St Ann's Church in Nyack NY, and St. John's Church in Piermont NY, as well as assisting Holy Family Church In FL, when he visited there for the winter months. He also served as a Eucharistic minister at Nyack hospital, Calvary hospital, and Tappan Zee Manor for many years. He is a 4th degree, & Life member of the Knights of Columbus, located in Piermont NY.
Charlie was of strong mind and character, and he taught his children, and grandchildren to live with faith, hard work, dedication, and to always pursue their dreams. He loved to be outdoors, to jog, ski, swim, & fish, and many would see him in the morning riding his bike to mass.
A wake will be held on Friday 1-28-22, from 4 - 8 pm at St. Ann Church, and the funeral mass is scheduled for the following day, Saturday 1-29-22 at 9:30 am, also at St. Ann's Church.
