Charles N. Heller, Jr. passed away Saturday, October 29, 2022 at his home in Carteret. He was 85 years old.

Born in Mount Holly on September 2, 1937, he attended high school and lived in Rahway before moving to Carteret in 1971 when he married his wife Patricia.

Mr. Heller was employed as a longshoreman for most of his career and then as a bridge operator for the State of New Jersey and ran the Hot Dog Truck at Carteret Park for many years prior to retiring.

He was a veteran of the United States Navy, serving from 1955 until 1958; and was a volunteer and board member with the Carteret Office of the Disabled. He was also a lifelong Giants and Yankees fan and is estimated to have watched or listened to over 12,000 baseball games. A self-proclaimed Looney Lagooner, he loved the beach and spent as much of his summers there for decades (which is also where he met his wife!).

Mr. Heller was predeceased by his wife, Patricia Ann Ziccardi Heller, in 2019; and brother, James T. Heller.

Surviving are his children, Caren Kapinos and her husband, Joseph, of Murrels Inlet, SC and Kevin Heller of Carteret; and grandchildren, Aaron Kapinos, Joseph Brucato, Caleb Heller, Leah Kapinos, Juliet Heller and Kayden Melendez.

Funeral services were private under the direction of Costello-Greiner Funeral Home, Woodbridge.

In lieu of flowers contributions to the Wounded Warrior Project ( woundedwarriorproject.org ) in Mr. Heller's memory would be greatly appreciated by his family.