CHARLIE REDMOND

Charlie Redmond was born July 17, 1917 in Jamestown, N.Y., the son of Glen H. and Edna W. Redmond.

He and his wife, Doris live on Cold Brook St. He has two children and five stepchildren.

He moved to Poland in 1955, purchasing a house on Main Street. After leasing a garage and a gas station from Pete Bathke for a year he purchased it in 1956. He ran this garage on Cold Brook Street for 27 years where besides doing automotive repairs and pumping gas he also sold used cars and trucks and pugs. For a few years he also operated a similar business on South Main Street, where Kuyahoora Outdoor Center is now. He provided 24 hours towing and gave a lot of young men their first paying job.

After serving in the Army Ordnance in the Philippines during World War II from 1942 to 1946, Charlie drove truck. He became acquainted with this area during his business travels.

Charlie is a charter member of the 22 Club, a lifetime member of the Ridgeriders Snowmobile Club, a 50-year member of Adirondack Legion Post and the Masons, and an honorary member of the Poland Fire department. He was a Poland Village Trustee in the 1960’s.

He has been a staunch and enthusiastic supporter of the Town Park since its inception. He mowed the Park for several years and still repairs the mower. For many years he and Doris made all the clam chowder for the Columbus Day Soccer Tourney.

He officially retired in 1982 but by 1983 was bored so he built the small garage behind his house. He spends most of the day there tinkering, rebuilding gas grills, and doing other minor repairs. The welcome mat is always out-Charlie has a huge assortment of friends.

He would like to see progress in the Town, he remembers all the businesses of the 1950’s.

Charlie Redmond has always been a hard worker. He is so industrious that one day after taking a nap he woke up thinking it was 6 a.m. when it was actually 6 p.m. He opened the garage and had pumped gas for several customers. He never realized the actual time, though he had wondered where his employees were, until a neighbor informed him of the correct time.

Charlie is a friendly, likable fellow with an original sense of humor. He is a genial companion to many being both a clever talker and a perceptive listener.