Obituary: Charles Gabriel Leeuw, Colts Neck

Charles Gabriel Leeuw, of Colts Neck Township, was born on March 27, 1920, in New York City, of Charles L. and Ellen MacIntyre Leeuw. Charles passed away at his home in Colts Neck on Wednesday, April 25 surrounded by his children and wife of 67 years.

Charlie and Marie are long time residents of Colts Neck where they are members of Colts Neck Senior Citizens, the IFF Retiree Association, and the Dutch Club, which he co-founded with long time friend Arnold VanRuitenbeek. Charlie was a 1938 graduate of La Salle Academy in New York City. He joined the U.S. Army during World War II and earned the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was sent to Panama to defend the canal.

After the war he joined Polak & Schwarz, a company making flavors and fragrances. Eventually, through mergers, it became International Flavors and Fragrances. He attained the office of Director of Traffic, managing a large staff engaged in shipping and receiving IFF's products in raw and finished form worldwide. He loved communicating with foreign offices and pursued a working knowledge of various languages and customs through his daily contacts around the globe. He retired in 1984 to attend to his collecting interests. He loved the Hudson Valley, most especially Staatsburg and the Mill's Estate where he spent a few years in residence as a youth because his father worked and lived on the estate. He is to this day a "Friend of the Mills Estate." He also loved Vermont where he and Marie spent much time visiting their children and grandchildren.

Charlie is survived by his wife Marie, his children Charles F. and spouse Janeece, William H. and his spouse Marilyn, Marie Celeste, and George M. and his spouse Doreen. He has seven grand children and three great grand children.

Charles was fortunate to be possessed of many wonderful friends and a loving family and will be missed by all. The family requests that any donations be forwarded in lieu of flowers to the New Jersey VNA in his name.

Visiting and the Funeral Liturgy will be held at St. Mary's R. C. Church, 1 Phalanx Road, Colts Neck. The interment will follow at Rhinebeck Cemetery, Rhinebeck, N.Y. Please contact the Higgins Memorial Home, Freehold for further information or visit www.higginsmemorialhome.com