Charles Dartley, 89, 30-Year Ridgewood Resident

RIDGEWOOD, NJ — Charles G. "Jerry" Dartley, a more than 30-year resident and former village lawyer, died Jan. 24. He was 89.

Dartley lived in Leesburg, Virginia. He retired there with his wife in 1996 after practicing law for decades, his family said.

Dartley was born Jan. 23, 1929 in Jersey City. He grew up in North Bergen.

He was a graduate of Union Hills High School and received his bachelor's degree from the University of Connecticut.

Married with two children in early 40s, Dartly decided to go back to school for law degree. He earned that degree from Seton Hall Law School.

After learning he passed the bar exam, he presented his wife Lucy with a dozen yellow roses, something the couple did for one another when they had something to celebrate.

Dartley practiced law and raised his family in Ridgewood for more than 30 years.

He retired with his wife to Virginia in 1996. He purchased the UPS Store in Leesburg, Virginia and managed it until he was 87.

Known for his good nature, colorful personality, sense of humor and love of family, Dartley could always be found milling around the town in which he lived and conducted business, making friends along the way, his family said. He received a bouquet of flowers from the pharmacy staff in Ashburn, Virginia after a brief stay in the hospital in 2017.

Dartley enjoyed body surfing in Belmar, going to his favorite hot dog restaurants like Dickie Dee's in Newark and Rutt's Hut in Clifton and lying down at Newark Airport's east-west runway watching the jets land 50 feet overhead.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years Lucy (nee Censoprano), their two children, daughter Cynthia, and her husband David, and son Michael and his wife Joy; three grandchildren Eve, Andrew and Jamie; one great grandchild Lottie; brother Arthur, niece and nephew Lyle and Russ, and other relatives, coworkers and friends, including R.C. Solorio and Al and Isabella Dartley.

Visitation with the family is that the Assyrian Orthodox Church of the Virgin Mary, 644 Paramus Road, Paramus, from 3 to 5 p.m. Tuesday. Interment will be at Valleau Cemetery in Ridgewood at 2:30 p.m.

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