Charles R. Sienkiewicz
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Charles Rodney Sienkiewicz, 87, passed away peacefully at the Suncoast Hospice Care Center in Palm Harbor, Florida, on March 31, 2021, with his loving daughters by his side.
Charles, known to his family and friends as Charlie, was born October 31, 1933 in Northampton, and was the son of the late Charles T. and Susan (Wisnouskas) Sienkiewicz. He was educated in Northampton and graduated from Northampton High School. He enlisted in the United States Navy and served aboard the USS Albany in 1951-53, and the USS Northampton from 1953-54.
Charlie owned and operated the Aqua Vitae Restaurant in Hadley and Roberto's Restaurant in Northampton until he retired and moved to Florida in 1987.
Charlie was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying snowmobiling, hunting and fishing at his camp in Whitingham, VT, and hunting large game in Newfoundland, Maine and Idaho.
He had a great passion for horses and horse racing. He owned and trained Thoroughbreds and ran them at Great Barrington, Suffolk Downs, Rockingham Park and at race tracks in Pennsylvania, New York and West Virginia. He took great pride in racing his horses at the Northampton Three County Fair and faithfully made the trip every year for the event.
He was a lifetime member of the Hadley American Legion and Hadley Young Men's Club. He also regularly attended the biennial Navel Association Reunions of the USS Northampton and the USS Albany, and was involved in the planning of these events.
Charlie loved living life to the fullest. He was a generous host and loved to cook and throw parties at his home as well as his camp in Vermont. He sponsored both an Aqua Vitae and a Roberto's Men's Baseball Team, as well as the undefeated 1974-75 Hopkins Academy Boys' Basketball Team, and hosted them for free pizza after every winning game.
Along with his parents, Charles was predeceased by his brother, Robert Sienkiewicz. He follows the passing of his former wife and lifelong friend, Mary Jane Sienkiewicz, who was the mother of his three daughters, Theresa Smith (Gordon), of Hadley, Nancy Blizniak (William), of Northampton, and Charlene Sienkiewicz of Phoenix, Arizona. He will be lovingly missed by his companion, Renee Manolopoulos, of Palm Harbor, Florida. He also leaves his grandchildren, Mary Elizabeth Iles, Joseph Smith and Rebecca Smith, along with many cousins, nieces and nephews.
In honor of Charlie's love of horse racing, his funeral service will be held on the day of the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby, Saturday, May 1st at 10 am at the Most Holy Redeemer Church in Hadley, followed by a burial at the Saint Mary's Cemetery in Northampton. There are no calling hours. Due to the pandemic, all guests are required to wear masks and practice physical distancing. Czelusniak Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. For online condolences, please visit Czelusniakfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Suncoast Hospice Care Center, 164 West Lake Road, Palm Harbor, Florida 34684.