Charles “Chuck” E. King Jr., 71, of Little Silver, passed away Aug. 10, 2025, at Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank. Affectionately known as “The Crab King,” Chuck was born in Red Bank and remained a lifelong resident of the area.
A graduate of Red Bank High Regional School (Class of 1973), Chuck was active in sports, playing softball and wrestling. He served his country in the National Guard, specializing in tank recovery. Chuck went on to work for the Red Bank Water Department before joining the Fair Haven Public Works Department, where he retired as a foreman after 25 years of dedicated service.
Following retirement, Chuck continued to work as a truck driver for Ryser’s Landscaping. He was a life member of the Union Hose Company of the Red Bank Fire Department, where he served as captain. His commitment and service earned him the David J. Allen Firefighter of the Year Award twice; in 2018, he proudly received his 45-year service pin. In 2014, he was appointed captain of the Red Bank Fire Police.
Chuck was a passionate fan of the New York Giants, the Mets, and Notre Dame football. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt and fish; one of his proudest moments was catching a 263-pound bluefin tuna. He and the love of his life, Marilyn, shared a passion for travel, especially to the Florida Keys, where they enjoyed fishing and discovering every tiki bar they could find.
Chuck is survived by his beloved wife Marilyn King of Little Silver; his daughter Tamatha Degugus of Red Bank; his son Sean Onuschak of Middletown; his grandchildren, Antonio, Samantha and Devon; and his great-granddaughter Amelia Rose.
After a life well-lived, filled with service and adventure, Chuck has gone fishing – off to calmer waters and open skies, where the lines are always tight and the tiki bars never close.
Visitation was Aug. 15 at Thompson Memorial Home, Red Bank, with a Fireman’s Service at 7 p.m. Private cremation followed.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Chuck’s memory may be made to Union Hose Company, 161B Shrewsbury Avenue, Red Bank, NJ 07701.
The article originally appeared in the August 21 – 28, 2025 print edition of The Two River Times.
