What a blow. The Yunger family has lost a true gentelman and friend. Charlie was dearly loved by our three children. We received the news late as we were traveling to New Hampshire for Peter's wedding.
Charlie was a friend from the day I started, October 6, 1992 until my retirement on June 15, 2007. I will never forget those friendly 15 years as long as I live.
Our sympathy goes out to Loretta and her family and may Charlie rest in peace.
-Richard R. (Tank) Yunger
------------------
I'd like to express my deepest sympathy for Charles's family and friends. I've been working in the area for 10 years and have been in the hardware store more than I can count. Charles has always been a great help to me and my company (Reznick Group) anytime we enter the store. Recently he helped me in picking out and cutting wood I needed. I know you have encountered a great loss. My prayers go out to you all. His services will defenitly be missed. Blessings.
-Terence Benjamin
------------------
Charles was so very alive so recently, his presence still reverberates in the store. He was not only good for a smile, he was good for a kiss on the cheek for good luck, and incidentally for the best hardware advice in town. I am still astounded, if not profoundly perplexed by his passing and am grateful I had the privilege of seeing him just a short time ago. I have known him for so many years, top secret between us in fact, that I considered him an official witness to my life. How he made and maintained such good connections is one of those happy wonders of living that makes us feel buoyant for no other
reason than living on this good earth. I know how proud of his son he was. During one of those quick silver episodes at the store when his son was there, I decided on the spot to name a color after him, Toussant, who was named after the revolutionary leader who fought for Hati's freedom. I told Charles and his son that this color would be be used above another color named after the simple little wooden boat that Einstein loved
to go out on alone...I am a paint colorist...we all got a
kick out of the associations...and I hope Charles is continuing his own marvelous associations on his next journey. We will miss him.
-Karen Lukinson
------------------
My heartfelt sympathy goes out to Lorreta and Toussaunt. No matter how prepared one can be, the loss of someone special can be very trying. I wish you and your family as much peace as possible during this difficult time.
After meeting Charles several years ago, he was always there to help and answer all the questions I had regarding the store. He has always been a very caring and kind person. Charles was like my big brother, he always knew how to make me laugh. I'm really going to miss him. He is in a better place now but he will always remain in the hearts of everyone who knew him because of the Great person that he was. My prayers are with you.
-Seif Mohammed & Family
------------------
I worked at the Bradley Shopping Center for 21 years and am honored to call Charlie my friend. You could always count on Charlie to brighten up any day. Whenever the deli had a problem, it was Charlie who came to the rescue. After completing the work, he would say, "Fix me up a Charlie Special." Before you knew it, all the Strosnider employees were asking for the "Charlie Special." Charlie was an institution in Bethesda. He will be sorely missed. Charlie was a kind and giving person, and my thoughts and prayers go to his family.
-Bob Bowers
------------------
I have known Charles for over thirty years. He was a true friend and a person I would consider calling my brother. To his family, I share there they loss deeply.
-James Koch
------------------
Charles Lewis was a man whose tall deeds by far surpassed his short stature. When I (as a new Strosniders employee) first met him back in 1987/88, he made me feel as if I'd known him all my life. He was always ready to assist any customer that walks into Strosniders Hardware. When I started calling him "Big Daddy" he playfully asked the reason. I told him that it was not because of his physical stature, but because of his bigger inner fortitude and heart to make sure that everyone he comes in contact with will forever remember the experience. We always tease each other about our football teams - Redskins and Detroit Lions. So, it was indeed a major shocker me for to learn on Friday from Mr. Hart that this great man has departed this life. "Big Daddy," you've left a void in everyone's life that you've touched. You've certainly and quietly made a mark in this world. I pray for your soul.
On behalf of my family I wish to extend my deepest and sincerest sympathy and condolences to his wife, Loretta, his son, Toussaint and his entire family. To the owners and employees of Stroniders Hardware, I say you have indeed lost a true legend and I again extend my sincere sympathy to you all. "Big Daddy," may you live forever in our hearts and may light perpetually shine on you.
-Denzil Johnson
------------------
I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with Charlie for 29 years. He was a huge anchor and part of the Strosniders family of purely "good people". Although he was too valuable to leave Bethesda when we opened the Potomac store in '93, he still has been there for all of us as for all of his loyal customers every day of the week for his 30 years. We've grown together as a company and as family and Charlie is an "icon" of Strosniders that will be sorely missed.
To Loretta and Toussaint and Rene, you will always be part of the Strosniders family, and be in our prayers. I know he would want us to celebrate his life, and we all should and will.
-Pete McCloskey, President, Strosniders of Potomac
------------------
Charlie was an invaluable part of Strosniders and our community and we will miss him dearly. He could solve nearly any problem at Strosniders and consistently delivered the best customer service that I have ever come across. It didn't matter who you were--if you came to Strosniders, Charlie ensured you were treated like a king or queen.
What I personally will miss most about him is the way he truly enjoyed life in a way many folks simply never can. He always offered a broad smile and a chuckle, even when times were tough. The happiness Charlie spread to all who knew him will be his legacy. It's something we call can take a lesson from.
-Craig Smith
------------------
Charles was definitely the "go to guy" at Strosniders. I would always tell people to "Ask for Charles!" whether they were searching for some hard to find hardware, or just checking stock at the Bethesda store. After dealing with him for so many years, I feel like I have lost a close friend and will truly miss him. My heart goes out to his family, and to his many friends at Strosniders.
-Mike Gubisch
------------------
My condolences go out to Charlie's family and all his friends and fellow employees at Strosnider's Hardware store in Bethesda. I had the privilege of receiving great advice and help from Charlie, from the 80's 'till just recently. His engaging personality and good cheer always made the shopping experience as pleasant as it was successful. I'm particularly shocked--as I ran into Charlie just this past June. His absence is a great loss to me and my family.
-Mahmoud El-Darwish
------------------
My dad/owner, Bill Hart, has taken me to Strosniders since I was a little girl. I became an employee at age 14 and got to know a lot of the employees like family. Charlie was one of my favorites- very friendly, always smiling and very personable. Like many of you, I was shocked by the news of his passing. I will miss seeing him at the store.
-Jennifer Johnson
------------------
I enjoyed working with "Sir Charles" while I was at Strosniders. He was a great friend and always has a smile for you no matter how his day was going. I really enjoyed being around Charles during football season because Charles was a BIG Redskins fan. I enjoyed kidding him about them. He would always say "This is going to be the skins year" and I would always tell him "Charlie you keep saying that and you will start to believe it." He would flash that big smile at me when I would tell him "If this is the skins year you wont let me forget it." Not only have I lost a great friend but Bethesda and Strosniders have lost a hardware icon. The Lewis family will be in my prayers.
- David Wheeler
------------------
I just happened to be checking the store site and was taken back by the news of the passing of Charles Lewis. Charlie was truly, for many years, an important part of why Strosniders Hardware has been consistently known for its friendly, neighborhood family, store environment. Both my sons worked summer jobs at the store and Charlie was always a friendly support to them. I worked at the store a few years ago and Charlie was always ready to give a supportive smile and hand on the shoulder.
Charlie is one of those people who will be truly missed. My sincere prayers and condolences to the family.
-Gordon F. Strickland
