Charles C. Haydon

Charles Collings "Col" Haydon, a devoted father, and husband to Gladys Haydon, a World War II veteran, and lifelong baseball fan, died June 2. He was 99.

Born in Baltimore, Charles lived in Philadelphia and Jersey City.

Then in 1948, he married Gladys Helen Snook. In 1950 they moved to Cranford, N.J. Charles and Gladys celebrated 68 wedding anniversaries.

As a youth, Charles played in baseball leagues in Philadelphia. He was a fan of the major leagues the rest of his life. When his sons, Warren and Bruce (Tom), we're young, Charles made trips to Yankees games regular summer time events.

He passed on his enthusiasm for sports on to his sons, and he continued to bowl and golf into his late eighties.

Charles was drafted into the Army in early 1941 and served throughout WW II. He was awarded two bronze medals.

Charles and Gladys were longtime members of the Cranford United Methodist Church. Charles is also survived by his grandsons, Christopher and Brian, who he enjoyed playing baseball with when they were young. Additionally, he is survived by several nieces and nephews.

Charles was predeceased by his sister, Florence Klinck, and brother, Kenneth Haydon.

A viewing and life celebration will be held Sunday from 2 to 4 at Gray Memorial Funeral Home in Cranford, and a memorial service will be Monday at 11 a.m. At the Cranford United Methodist Church. You may go to grayfuneralhomes.com for on line condolences.