Haytaian, Garabed “Chuck”
January 28, 1938 – November 1, 2024
Garabed “Chuck” Haytaian passed away Friday, November 1, 2024, in his hometown of Hackettstown, NJ. He was 86.
Chuck was born on January 28, 1938, in New York City to Zakia and David Haytaian, two immigrants of Armenian descent who fled one of the provinces of the Ottoman Empire during the Armenian genocide. They had one additional child, John, who lives in Oceanport, NJ with his wife, Marie.
He was a graduate of Christopher Columbus High School in the Bronx, attended City College of New York, and was a graduate of the University of Alabama with a degree in electrical engineering.
He was a former member of St. Leon’s Armenian Church in Fair Lawn, NJ, and more recently, attended services at Trinity United Methodist Church in Hackettstown.
After college graduation, Chuck started his professional career in engineering and worked for Grumman Aerospace on Long Island, New York, specifically working on the Lunar Excursion Module. His desire was to own his own business. He moved to Hackettstown, New Jersey, to take over a dry-cleaning business from his father-in-law, Ned Mardenly. After many years in the dry-cleaning business, he decided to move on and worked for L Robert Kimball & Associates as a marketing executive. He also worked for V.S Hovnanian Group in Freehold, NJ, and was a marketing executive at Superior Graphics in New York.
His political career started with election to the Mansfield Township Board of Education in 1972. In 1974, he ran for Warren County Freeholder (now called County Commissioners) against incumbent, Benjamin Bosco, and lost by 60 votes. The following year, he ran again for freeholder and was successful, defeating Christopher Maier in a bitterly fought election. The two adversaries became close friends in the years to come, and both share an honor from the Warren County Community College, which named their library, The Haytaian and Maier Library. Both men were instrumental in starting the college during their time on the Warren County Freeholder Board.
After spending two terms as a county freeholder, he ran for the New Jersey State Assembly with running mate Robert Littell in 1981. They won, and he would spend 14 years in the state assembly attaining leadership positions such as Minority Leader, Majority Leader, and ultimately, Speaker of the New Jersey Assembly in 1992. To honor his mother and father’s Armenian heritage and history, one of his many achievements as Speaker was to get passed a law mandating the teaching of the Holocaust, the Armenian Genocide, the Cambodian genocide and all other genocides in public schools.
In 1994, Chuck ran for the United States Senate against two-term incumbent Frank Lautenberg and lost that election by 67,000 votes. After deciding not to run for re-election to the state assembly in 1995, he was appointed New Jersey State Republican Chairman by Governor Christine Todd Whitman, a position he held until his retirement in 2001. He became involved with several organizations over the years including the Hackettstown Kiwanis Club, Freemasons and Freedom House, a long-term treatment program for adult men and women with alcohol and drug addiction. He also served as a Board of Trustee for the Warren County Community College.
While Chuck devoted much of his life being a public servant, at his heart, he was a man of strong character, faith and family. Those closest to him will always remember his love of spaghetti, New York Jets and New York Yankees fandom and an endless stash of candy. He was beloved and loved deeply by those closest to him.
He was predeceased by his parents, Zakia and David Haytaian, and his wife of 48 years, Joan. He is survived by his brother, John, and sister-in-law, Marie.
He is also survived by his children, David, Debbie and Darrell, along with their spouses Lucy, Michael and Lynn. He was a loving grandfather to six grandchildren, Nicolle, Tiffany (husband Pasquale), David, Vanessa (husband Brendan), Jordan and Christopher, and two great-grandchildren, Lorenzo and Luca. He is also survived by nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, November 9, 2024, from 12-noon to 3:00 p.m.,at Warren County Community College, 475 Route 57 West, Washington, NJ. A celebration of his life will commence immediately after, also at the Warren County Community College. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to the Chuck Haytaian Memorial Scholarship Fund. Please mail checks to WCCC Foundation, 475 Route 57 W, Washington, NJ, 07882.
Please note visitation and service will be held at Warren County Community College.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Cochran Funeral Home, 905 High Street, Hackettstown, NJ 07840. For those wishing to leave online condolences for the family, please visit, www.cochranfuneral.com.
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Joe and Janet Lake says
November 4, 2024 at 4:50 pmWe were customers at the cleaners. My parents were friends of his in-laws. All I ever knew of him was good. He was Acting Governor of the State of NJ as well, which isn’t mentioned in obituary. Rest in peace Chuck.
Sal Paolantonio says
November 5, 2024 at 7:13 amMy dear friend, Chuck. A dedicated public official, a wonderful friend, a great father, grandfather and great-grandfather. We shared a love of politics and football. I will cherish always our impromptu phone calls about the New York Jets! He was gloriously funny and loyal — exactly what a man needs in a friend! I shall miss him. Peace be with the Haytaian Family. We will light a candle in our church in the name of this great man!
Paul & Robin Wallace says
November 5, 2024 at 1:32 pmDear Haytaian family
As the tributes flow in on your Father’s accomplishments, and they will be many, perhaps the greatest gift is his ability to just have a great conversation with. I loved attending Trinity Men’s Saturday Morning Bible Study with Him & Daryle , & the testament to a true man is what you hear him say about you to others. He along with Dr. Fowler were two of the many influential people in my decision to attend Seminary, get my Master’s Degree, & seek ordination. These are the times that remind us the ministry GOD gives us on Earth will be brief, & how one uses that gift is measured in How we leave this earth, Your Dad in Christ will Here Well done. This will probably not ease your pain too much, I pray our FATHER in Heaven will comfort You All as only HE can through Christ our LORD
GOD Bless
Paul & Robin Wallace
Joy Snyder says
November 5, 2024 at 2:41 pmRemembering first meeting Chuck and Joan so many years ago through politics and working along with Frank Delello and Tommy Tomeo…Chuck loved all people no matter their walk in life and always with humility. My Sincere Sympathy to the entire Haytaian Family…Joy Snyder
Maria Scala says
November 6, 2024 at 6:24 pmOur families have such a long history of friendship melded into family memories. The Scala’s and Giordano’s, and your family have made such a beautiful mark on my heart. Mr. H. was a remarkable man, and along with your incredible mom, we laughed until we hurt. I know your dad is now with your mom, my dad and Aunt Dolores. Together, they are laughing and rejoicing in their reunion. Let us remember them with love, trusting in God’s promise, we will see them again some day. I love you all!
Laura Iacampo says
November 7, 2024 at 12:21 amMy husband, Vinnie, our son Basil and I have loved our times with Chuck for so many years at Trinity and will miss him dearly! We pray he rests in peace and knows that he lived a life of service, sacrifice and love! We are praying for his beautiful family that they are covered in God’s love at this time and in the days to come. We are here if you need anything!
Harriet Derman says
November 10, 2024 at 12:52 pmI would never have won a seat in the Assembly without Chuck. He was a great leader and a good man. Harriet Derman
Kelly Ackerman Hayes says
November 11, 2024 at 7:47 pmWhat can I say about someone who knew me from when I was born. We share the same birthday, which was very special to me. He was bigger than life and yet always made each person feel so important no matter who he was talking to. David, Debbie and Darrell, I am sorry I missed the service and the chance to tell how much your Dad meant to me. Please know that you are all in my thoughts now and for a long time. I have no doubt that he’s already found my parents and they are, together with your mom and sharing memories of Rockport. May your love and memories of your Dad carry you through the days and weeks ahead.
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