Jack supported Sue’s dream of owning a business and Red Rocker Candy, LLC was started in their basement on April 1, 2002. Occasionally, Jack could be found helping customers in the Factory Store in Troy. Jack loved to talk to the customers.
Jack was diagnosed with Leukemia in 2009 and again beginning in March 2013. He was a fighter and amazed doctors with his strength and tenacity. Customers missed Jack’s smiling face and enthusiasm and when they learned why they hadn’t seen him around, the outpouring of well wishes and requests for updates about “such a nice man” were tremendous.
At the news of Jack’s passing, one customer and car show supporter aptly summed up Jack: “He had a heart of gold!” This fall, Red Rocker Candy’s 4th annual car cruise-in, which was Jack’s pride and joy, is being renamed the “Red Rocker Candy Jack Charney Memorial Cruise-In.” He would have loved that. On October 18, 2014, this event will include a celebration of Jack’s life.