Source: Post-Star

Cambridge NY – Charles Albert Ackley, 87, died suddenly, Friday, Sept. 2, 2005, at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center after being stricken at his home. He was the husband of Vera (Morey) Ackley.

Born Sept. 17, 1917, on the Ackley Farm in the town of Jackson, he was the son of Charles Henry and Mamie (McCabe) Ackley.

He attended the Lauderdale schoolhouse and graduated from Cambridge High School, Class of 1936. Charlie joined the U.S. Army and served on the hospital ship USS Hope during World War II as an NCO in charge of central supply.

Returning to Cambridge, he worked for O.K. Spurr at the funeral home and at the furniture store. He attended Simmons Institute of Embalming in Syracuse and became a licensed New York state funeral director. Charlie bought the furniture store in 1955 and ran it until 1975. In 1965, he bought the ambulance service and funeral home. He helped start the Cambridge Valley Rescue Squad in 1969, giving it his ambulance.

He retired from funeral service in 1996, selling the business to the Rosses, the current owners.

A staunch Republican, he served as the Chairman of the White Creek Republican Committee for 35 years. He also served on the County Committee and was Mayor of Cambridge from 1954 through 1957.

He was a member of Capt. Maxson Post No. 634 of the American Legion for nearly 60 years and a member of Cambridge-Salem Lodge No. 481 Free & Accepted Masons for over 60 years, serving as Master for two terms. He was also a member of the Royal Arch Chapter and the Calvary Commandery.

For 76 years, he was a member of the Embury United Methodist Church.

He was a member of the Woodlands Cemetery Board for many years, and served for 22 years on the Mary McClellan Hospital Board.

In his spare time, Charlie enjoyed writing songs (he had one published), singing and playing cymbals in the Cambridge Marching Band. He liked to spend time with his family, the “Breakfast Flakes” and at his camp on the Lauderdale farm.

In 1996, the year of Charlie’s retirement, he was given a roast and the Village of Cambridge proclaimed October 19th as Charles A. Ackley Day. The Proclamation stated: “We celebrate this man who has given many years of dedicated, loyal service to his community, church and civic organizations. We celebrate his devotion to his family and his business; a man who possesses a robust sense of humor and has strength of character.” Charlie had a wonderful, positive spirit and sense of humor. He loved his family and friends and was always willing to serve others. We will greatly miss him. Today, we celebrate his life.

His son-in-law, Bruce W. Bracken Jr., predeceased him on Sept. 4, 2004.

Along with his wife of 63 years, he is survived by two children, Charles H. Ackley and wife Debbie, of Queensbury, and Carol Ackley Bracken of Cambridge; a granddaughter and her husband, Erin and Bryan Genevick of Cambridge; two grandsons, Ryan and his wife, Elizabeth Winn Bracken, of Dayton, Ohio, and Philip Bracken of Cambridge; two great-grandsons, Daniel and Nathan Genevick; a sister Rachael M. Little of Pennsylvania; a brother and his wife, Francis and Cathy Ackley of Cambridge and several nieces and nephews.

Memorial donations would be greatly appreciated by the following: Cambridge Valley Rescue Squad. P. O. Box 52, Cambridge, NY , the Cambridge Band CCS Uniform Fund, c/o Pete Bell, 10 West Main St., Cambridge or Capt. Maxson Post No. 634.

Army Serial Number	32855336
County & State of Residence	Washington County, New York
Place of Enlistment	Albany, NY
Date of Enlistment	04/02/43
Grade	PVT – Private
Source of Army Personnel	Civilian Life
Nativity	New York
Year of Birth	1917
Education	4 Years of High School
Civilian Occupation	Sales Clerk
Marital Status	Married
Component of the Army	Selectees (Enlisted Men)
Box Number	0575
Film Reel Number	2.239

Source: National Archives