Charles F. Plungis Jr
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Charles F. Plungis Jr., 70, of Plant City FL passed away at his summer home in Great Barrington with the comfort of his family by his side on Saturday, September 3, 2022.
A son, brother, husband, father and friend, he was the son of the late Charles Plungis Sr. and Mary (Graslin) Plungis. Charlie is survived by his wife of 45 years, Kathy (Congdon) Plungis, his son Charles III and his wife Sharolyn and their children, Charles Alejandro and Charlotte Grace of Portsmouth, RI. He is also survived by his daughter Susan Victoria of Farmington, CT.
Charlie also leaves his brother Thomas S. Plungis of Phoenix, AZ and three nieces. He also leaves a great Aunt, brothers and sister in-laws and nieces and nephews.
Charlie leaves a steadfast friendship of 53 years with the DNWT of Rutgers and their annual celebration of Groundhog's Day.
An athlete throughout his youth and high school school career, Charlie played soccer, basketball and his passion, baseball, at the former Searles High School and then Monument Mountain RHS. He was a standout youth bowler at the Bowlero Lanes and throughout Berkshire County tournaments.
A 1969 alumnus of Monument Mountain, he graduated from Rutgers University in 1973 with an economics degree. Later, he obtained a MBA from Cornell University in 1978.
Charlie started his banking career with the former Great Barrington Savings Bank in 1973, beginning as a teller, then branch manager, moving to Asst. Treasurer and onto Treasurer. He could not have worked with a better group of talented, dedicated co-workers. When the bank transformed into Berkshire Bank, Charlie continued on as the CFO, retiring in 2002.
Charlie served on the BCC Foundation Board of Directors for 13 years, twelve as Treasurer, retiring from the Board in 2015. He was also a member of the Fairview Hospital Board for many years. Charlie served for many years on the South Berkshire Visiting Nurse Association Board until it dissolved. He chaired the first town of Gt. Barrington Wage and Compensation Board, negotiating contracts between the town and various unions in the early 1990's. In 2006, Charlie began a tenure of 16 years as a Bank Director with the Pittsfield Cooperative Bank, retiring a few months ago.
However, his passion and greatest contribution to Gt. Barrington was as a Babe Ruth baseball coach beginning at the age of 17, a year after ending his own Babe Ruth career. Charlie coached for 29 years. A few hundred teenage boys and girls learned the game under his guidance. Beginning with the Zayre's team and concluding with the Hull's oil company sponsored teams, his players won numerous titles. In 1979, along with Coach Pete Wilson and assistant coaches Art Coons and Mike Wells, the South Berkshire Babe Ruth All Stars were District Champions.
Charlie also had the honor of coaching his own children in Tee Ball, Minor League and his son in Babe Ruth and his daughter in softball. Charlie was President of the Berkshire Rattlers for a few years while his son played youth hockey. A member of Wyantenuck Country Club for 60 years, his membership spanned junior golf, working on the grounds crew in high school and college, and as a former Board of Governors member. He and Kathy enjoyed golf across the US and especially in Myrtle Beach.
Charlie and Kathy honeymooned at Saratoga and little did she know what the future was going to hold in regard to Charlie's interest in racing. For the past 29 years, Charlie was a race horse owner. His maternal grandfather introduced him to the sport during his college years and he would meet his grandfather at Belmont and Aqueduct. Charlie's horses raced in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Delaware and Pennsylvania, with his latest acquisition stabled at Parx. Charlie and Kathy attended Breeders Cups throughout the country, beginning in 1995, their last being in 2019.
Above all, Charlie was a man of deep faith. His principals were unwavering. His wake will be held on Sunday, September 11th, 2:00-4:00 at the Birches Roy Funeral Home,
33 South Street, Great Barrington, MA.
The funeral will take place at St. Peter's Church, Main Street, Great Barrington MA on Monday, September 12th at 10:00am.
Donations may be made to the St. Peter's Church Restoration Fund in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be made through birchesroyfuneralservices.com.