Charles “Charlie” Lavine
1947 – 2025
Charles “Charlie” Lavine of Lawrenceville, NJ passed away on March 3, 2025, after a brief illness.
Charlie graduated from Trenton Central High School in 1965, from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 1969, and served in the Army Reserves after graduation. He worked for Mercer County and then the State of New Jersey. During his career with the State, he was most proud of his time as Executive Director of the War Memorial. Involved with local politics his entire life, Charlie was a proud life-long Trentonian. A member of Congregation Beth Chaim, he served on the Board of Directors of the Condominium Association Institute and previously on the Board of Directors of the NJY Camps.
Charlie is survived by his wife Barbara Berkman Lavine, his daughter Sarah (Nick) Pankiewicz, his grandchildren Greyson and Ellen Lavine, his stepsons Josh (Robin) Berkman and Eric (Brett) Berkman, and step-grandchildren Ethan, Sofia, Max and Rebecca Berkman. He was predeceased by parents Selda and Louis Lavine, his son Andrew Lavine, and his daughter Gabrielle Lavine.
Funeral services will be 11:00 am on Friday, March 7th at Orland’s Ewing Memorial Chapel, 1534 Pennington Road, Ewing, NJ. Burial will follow at Fountain Lawn Memorial Park, Ewing, NJ. Shiva will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are respectfully requested to the American Heart Association (heart.org), the American Diabetes Association (diabetes.org), or Congregation Beth Chaim, West Windsor, NJ (bethchaim.org)
May your family find peace.
Rest in peace, you will be missed.
Although we only knew Charlie a brief time, he was so full of life . He will be missed , rest in peace.
May his memory be a blessing.
I will remember Charlie best as a mischievous member of a weekly discussion group called CURRENTS. Prayers of comfort and support to his family and friends.
Until we meet again….!
Gus Norton
Rest in peace, my friend. Kathie and send our deepest condolences to your family.
Charlie will be missed.He was such a Champion of Democratic values. May he Rest in Peace
Barbara and family,
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. May Charlies memoriy be for a blessing. I will think of him everytime we play Bingo.
Dear Barbara, We are so terribly sorry to hear this. May his memory forever be a blessing.
I know my mother Carol will miss talking politics and baseball .
Love,
Faith and Charlie Wight
So sad to hear this news. Charlie made me feel welcomed in all of the spaces we shared. I will miss him, his humor, and his wisdom.
I am truly saddened to hear of Charlie’s passing. Although he’s struggled in recent times with various health issues, he maintained a positive, pugnacious and fighting spirit. Whether as a member of our CURRENTS discussion group for several years or as a member of Congregation Beth Chaim, his spirit was always present and accounted for. My condolences to Barbara and family…I will miss Charlie.
I only new him briefly, but in that short time he became a mentor to me. Our thoughts, prayers and condolences go out to the family. May his memory be for a blessing.
Harriett and I send our condolences, Barbara, The Temple Micah family benefited so much from Charlie’s involvement for so many years. His energy, enthusiasm and experience were appreciated, and personally, I remember his support for me during my tenure as President. The Jewish community of Central Jersey will miss Charlie very much.
Barbara and family,
My condolences to you all. I will truly miss running into Charlie at all the CAI meetings and events. May his memory be a blessing to all.
Beth Duffy
A friend called to tell me about Charles’s passing. I was shocked. I am so very sorry and express my sincere condolences to you and the family.
Barbara
So sorry to hear about Charlie. Condolences to you and your family.
I am saddened to hear of Charlie’s passing. I always looked forward to the zoning board meetings and chatting with him after the meetings. My condolences to all.