Charles “Charlie” Stuart Prestopine, 89, of Hackettstown, NJ, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at Morristown Memorial Hospital, surrounded by his loving wife, Phyllis, and devoted family and friends.

Born in Flemington, N. J., a descendant of famed Cavalry General J. E. B. Stuart and raised in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, Charlie was the son of the late Joseph and Marie Stuart Prestopine. He and his beloved wife, Phyllis, moved to Hackettstown from Teaneck, NJ, in 1969, establishing deep roots in the Hackettstown community they would call home for over five decades.

A respected educator by profession, Charlie earned two Master’s degrees in History from Seton Hall University and Bowling Green State University. He started teaching and coaching football and baseball at Teaneck High School and dedicated his career to inspiring young minds, retiring as a History teacher from Hopatcong High School in 1994.

Upon retirement, Charlie channeled his passion for the past into local preservation, becoming one of Hackettstown’s most dedicated civic volunteers. In 1975, ahead of the nation’s Bicentennial, he began his long tenure as a Revolutionary and Civil War reenactor. He was a founding member of Helms Company, 2nd New Jersey Regiment, and actively participated in the 8th New Jersey Civil War Regiment, bringing American history to life for generations.

Among his proudest accomplishments was his work with the Olde Historical Burial Ground Committee. Charlie was a key cog in the all-volunteer effort to restore the 249-year-old colonial cemetery on Main Street, personally helping resurrect and preserve over 180 historic headstones, including those of Revolutionary War patriots. His dedication earned him the prestigious international Oakley Certificate of Merit for gravestone preservation and public awareness. Additionally, Charlie was instrumental in restoring the neighboring historic Presbyterian Chapel. In 2001, he chaired the committee that successfully raised $150,000 to replace the town’s historic 1896 “Billy Yank” Civil War statue, which had previously been removed due to traffic flow.

Charlie was a member of the Musconetcong Lodge #42 F.&A.M. in Mount Olive, NJ, and a faithful member of the First Presbyterian Church of Hackettstown.

He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years ,Phyllis; his brother Dave Prestopine and his wife Molly; his sister in law Beryle Prestopine and his late brother Mickey; his two sisters, Karen Hill and her late husband Ray, and Lorna Benner and her husband Dr. Michael Benner; his sister in law Shirley DeLoia and her late husband Louis. He is predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Marie Prestopine and his in laws, Mr. And Mrs. Anthony and Florence Paglia.

Charlie was also blessed with many nieces, nephews, God children and friends.

Visitation

Wednesday, June 10, 2026

4:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Cochran Funeral Home

905 High Street, Hackettstown, NJ

Funeral Service

Thursday, June 11, 2026

11:00 am

First Presbyterian Church

298 Main Street, Hackettstown, NJ

Entombment will follow at the Hackettstown Union Cemetery. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.cochranfuneral.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to:

First Presbyterian Church

Attn: Old Burial Ground Maintenance

298 Main Street, Hackettstown, NJ 07840