Charles F. 'Charlie' Traxel

Boonville- Charles F. Traxel, 93, Ford St., a native and life resident of Boonville, and husband of Barbara, passed away while under the loving care of his wife Barbara, on Sunday, September 6, 2015 at his residence. He was born on April 28, 1922, a son of Henry and Sadye Freeman Traxel. Charlie graduated from Boonville High School with the Class of 1940. Mr. Traxel served his country by enlisting in the U.S. Air Cadets serving stateside from 1943-1945, during WWII. After his honorable discharge, he returned to Boonville and was employed by John Shepard at the Grand Union Store. Mr. Traxel was a well-known and highly successful auto mechanic. He began his long career in auto mechanics as manager for the Texaco Gas Station on Post St. before his employment from 1947-the early 1960's, as an auto mechanic and parts manager for Harold Schaeffer at the DeSoto & Plymouth Automobile Dealership on Rt. 12. After that, Charlie, his brother Glenn, and Bruce Pfendler formed a three-way partnership in operation of the Boulevard Garage, until 1977, when Mr. Traxel opened his own auto repair business at his residence on Ford St, which he operated until he was well past the age of 80. On April 9, 1960, Charlie was united in marriage with Barbara Ellers, at Trinity Reformed Church, Schenectady, after that the couple moved to their present home. Mr. Traxel was a life member of Boonville United Methodist Church, where he served as a church Trustee and was a member of the choir. He was also a long time member of Boonville-Uriel Masonic Lodge # 165, serving as Lodge Master in 1960. Charlie was a well-known and very talented North Country musician and trumpet player, a career that he began at the age of 12, playing in the Boonville High School Band. Later he played trumpet in Boonville Fire Co. Drum & Bugle Corps and for several years, Charlie, Hal Mahaffy and Bern Sawyer, formed a trumpet, piano and drums trio, providing entertainment for many summers in Adirondack Mountain area hotels. One of his favorite musical memories was playing in a band for Utica American Legion Post # 229, in a parade which took place on 5th Ave. in New York City. He will be fondly remembered for participating in the Summer Boonville Band Concerts in the park, the Clark Mills Band, Lowville Band, and Pat Brown's Big Band Jazz Band, Friends of the Ziyara Shrine Band, the Lowville Garage Band, and Charlie took part in the pit band for many area high school Broadway musical productions and for many years he was a member of the Adirondack Community Chorus. He last played his trumpet in December, 2014, for the Lowville Baptist Church. In addition to his wife of 55 years, Barbara, Charlie is survived by one daughter, Judith (Jeffrey) Slye, Marilla, NY; one son, William (Karla) Traxel, Boonville; five grandchildren, Abigail McLean, Colin McLean, Kaitlyn, Rhiannon and Glenn Traxel; a nephew, Ronald (Faith) Traxel, Boonville, and their family, Beth (Bradley) Evans, Deborah (John) Smith; a niece, Carol (Walter) Marks, LaCento, FL, and their daughter, Carrie (Scott) Sommers; and son, Wyatt (Julie) Marks and a brother in law, William Ellers, Addison, IL. He was predeceased by a brother and sister in law, Glenn and Muriel Traxel, a sister, Ruth Traxel and by a sister in law, Carol Ellers. His Funeral will be Thursday at 11:00 A.M. at Trainor Funeral Home, Inc. 143 Schuyler St. Boonville, with interment in Boonville Cemetery, with Military Rites provided by Charles J. Love Post American Legion, Harland J. Hennessey Post VFW and the Tun Tavern Marine Corps League all of Boonville. Calling hours are Wednesday 4-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Boonville United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, 103 Ann St. Boonville, or to Boonville Fire Co. Ambulance Fund, P.O. Box 164, Boonville, NY 13309. For an on-line message of sympathy, or to share a memory of Charlie, please go to www.trainorfuneralhome.com