Charles (Chuck) Hollosy, 96, died peacefully at his home in St. Marys on Aug. 10, 2021, with his two daughters, Kelly and Mary Kathleen (Boo), along with his dedicated caregiver, Margot, at his side.
Chuck was born Oct. 11, 1924, in Brooklyn, New York. He grew up in Linden, New Jersey, where he was a state champion sprinter in high school. Chuck ventured west to Ypsilanti, Michigan, to attend Michigan Normal College on a track scholarship, where he captained the nationally ranked Hurons his senior year.
Like many men his age, he volunteered for service in World War II. He was an ensign in the U.S. Navy and participated in some of the bloodiest battles in the Pacific theater, including Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Upon his return from WWII, he met the love of his life, Mary Ellen Kelly.
He completed his bachelor’s degree at Michigan Normal and obtained his master’s in education from the University of Michigan. Chuck began his career at a small private boys’ boarding school in Woodstock, Illinois, with Mary Ellen at his side after which he taught in Croswell, Michigan, before being tapped to be the only non-clergyman to open a Catholic boys’ high school in Detroit, Michigan – Austin Catholic Preparatory. Chuck taught algebra and coached at Austin until 1961.
During those years he had great success culminating in the 1958 state basketball championship. In 1961, his friend, John Thursby convinced him to bring his talents to Grosse Pointe High School, which later became Grosse Pointe South. Chuck retired in 1988 after teaching, coaching both boys and girls basketball, and serving as the athletic director. Over the course of his 30+ years of teaching and coaching in the Detroit area, he impacted thousands of young lives, exerting lasting influence over countless students, coaches and young athletes, many of which resulted in lifelong friendships that lasted until his final days.
Chuck’s storied career included many accolades: multiple Coach of the Year awards, state championship title, and induction into the Catholic League Coaches Hall of Fame, Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan Hall of Fame and Michigan High School Coaches Hall of Fame. But no honors equaled his love for others: his students, athletes, friends and family. Chuck and Mary Ellen relocated to the charming Southern town of St Marys in 1994, establishing new friendships over golf, bridge and dinner club. He never gave up trying to perfect both his golf game and his bridge game. He was an avid sports fan, loved reading and tackling the toughest NY Times crossword puzzles and was a Sudoku expert. He enjoyed evenings sitting on his screened porch admiring “Mary Ellen’s Garden” and his peaceful surroundings. While quietly and deeply faithful, Chuck was described by many as not only a gentleman but a gentle man.
Chuck was predeceased by his loving bride of nearly 68 years, Mary Ellen. He will be dearly missed by his loving children, John (Diane), Kelly Moore (Vern) and Mary Kathleen (Boo) Murphy (Jeff). He was a proud and adoring grandfather to Joe (deceased), Tim, Mark and Luke Hollosy, Matthew and Caitlin Moore and Katie and Kevin Murphy and great-grandfather to Faye, Megan, Ena and Ethan Hollosy.
A funeral mass was celebrated on Aug. 14 at Our Lady Star of The Sea, St. Marys. A memorial mass will be celebrated in the near future at St. Clare of Montefalco, Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan.
Chuck was an active volunteer with the Camden County Alzheimer’s Project. In tribute to him, make a difference in your local community influencing lives young and old.
Allison Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.