Chuck Ticknor, Jr.
Charles “Chuck” Edward Ticknor, Jr. was born in Mansfield, Ohio on July 24, 1936. He was the sole child of Charles Edward Ticknor and Vilma A Ticknor.
Chuck spent his early childhood in Mansfield, Ohio. By all accounts, including his own, he had many friends and a wonderful childhood growing up on Arlington Avenue in Mansfield. In the late 1940’s, Chuck and his parents moved to Valparaiso, Indiana to pursue a business opportunity for the family. Tragedy struck in November 1950 when Chuck was 14 years old; his father died in an automobile accident. While this loss had an immediate and profound impact on Chuck for the rest of his life, it never stopped him from living a life filled with love, optimism, and friendship. With the loving support of his mother, Chuck graduated from Valparaiso (Indiana) High School in 1954 and then attended business school. Chuck and his mother eventually chose to return to Mansfield where his maternal grandmother and multiple aunts and uncles lived. He eventually raised a family in Mansfield, and he resided in the Mansfield area for the rest of his life.
Over the course of his adult life, Chuck worked for many companies, and his most consistent, recurring role in the business world was being a salesman. He always reveled in the role of being a salesman, and over his career he sold many things; from Rupp mini bikes and snow mobiles to print and radio advertisement. He would always tell his children that being in sales meant you had to be comfortable with being told no more often than yes, and you had to treat everyone with the same kindness and respect regardless of yes or no. Undoubtedly, the part of his career that he enjoyed the most was meeting and speaking with people and learning about their lives. He would greet all people, young and old, black and white, with a big smile and his sparkling blue eyes, and always a pervasive sense of optimism. He could chat easily with anyone, anywhere, anytime. Whether it was the company president or janitor, he treated everyone with kindness and respect. Chuck’s favorite jobs were working for local radio stations. His primary responsibility in the radio media business was selling air time advertisement, but he routinely found himself on the microphone doing play-by-play or color commentary for local high school basketball and football games in Mansfield and Ashland. He also hosted several different radio programs, and unsurprisingly his favorite was a sports talk show “Tics Sports Talk”. While he always loved broadcasting the high school basketball and football games to the area communities, it was the opportunity to speak with people calling in to discuss their opinions on sports that gave him the deepest sense of satisfaction and fun.
Chuck was a life-long fan of the Cleveland professional sports teams. He grew up in an era when the Browns and the Indians enjoyed championships, and his support for his Cleveland teams never wavered for the rest of his life. He could repeat player stats dating back to his youth. Money was tight, so the typical family summer “vacation” was often a day trip to a Tribe game. Packed lunches for the family (they let people do that in the 1970’s), but Chuck would always buy a giant bag of peanuts in the shell from the stadium vendor for the family to share. One year, he was able to splurge and get everyone hot dogs with stadium mustard! Listening to a Cavs, Indians, or Browns game on the radio while in the car or the kitchen was a routine part of life for Chuck and his family. Any series or season that ended in a loss would lead to disappointment that lasted mere seconds or minutes. Next year was going to be the year! Chuck had this same optimism and positivity for all of his family and friends. His love and support for his children and grandchildren was never ending. He was always proud of them, and their lives gave him joy. He had very similar feelings for his friends and the friends of his children and grandchildren, they were always welcome in his life and as part of his family.
Chuck was always a kid at heart. In the early 1970’s, he coached summer “colt league” baseball because he loved the sport and wanted to help the kids who needed a coach. In the evenings after work or on the weekends, Chuck was always the neighborhood parent who would play sports with the kids. When his children started having their own children, the little ones could always count on Grandpa Chuck to read books or play games with them. In his mind, there was always time for another game. He was tireless when it came to his children and grandchildren.
Over the course of his life, Chuck attended many different churches. Above any particular denomination, he was always a follower of Jesus.
Chuck passed peacefully on December 29, 2024. He was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife Sandra, daughter Susan Falde (Cray), daughter Debra Medina, son Charles E Ticknor, III, and son Christopher Ticknor (Kim). Chuck’s grandchildren are Ryan Matney (Amanda), Dominic Medina, Justine Medina, Xavier Medina, Kevin Ticknor (Jordan), Andrew Ticknor (Sara), Abby Ohl (Andrew), Charles Robert Ticknor, CJ Ticknor, Aaron Ticknor, and Karisa Ticknor. Chuck’s very young great grandchildren are Rowan Ticknor, Emerson Ohl, and Eleanor Ticknor. Due to his significantly declining health Chuck was unable to spend meaningful time with his great grandchildren, but his current and future great grandchildren will all learn many facts and stories about him and his life. He was one of a kind!
Visitation will be held Saturday, January 4, 2025 from 8:30 am – 9:30 am at Herlihy Funeral Home, 173 Park Avenue West. A Funeral service will be held at 9:30 am followed by burial at Mansfield Cemetery.
www.herlihyfh.com