Charles Rucinski of Milltown, NJ passed away on October 4, 2024, at Robert Wood Johnson Barnabas Hospital, New Brunswick.  He was 54 years old.  Born in New Brunswick, Chuck spent his earlier childhood growing up in North Brunswick, NJ.  He moved to Milltown, NJ during the third grade, and lived there for the remainder of his life. 

Chuck’s employment throughout his life spanned across various companies, such as Borders Books and Music, Barnes & Noble, Zenith Resources and finally Trumpf Photonics.  With his career being spent largely in IT Help Desk support roles, Chuck became the ‘go-to’ guy for the family for all types of computer issues.  He loved to be helpful to others and made sure to tell his wife that her system problems were a result of the connection between the keyboard the chair.   

Because Chuck always needed to be busy, he began studying Tae-Kwon-Do in college at Golden Tiger Karate in North Brunswick, NJ.  Chuck soon became a part-time instructor there and under the instruction of Master Michael Abruzzi, Chuck progressed through the years to achieve the rank of 9th degree black belt.   Chuck’s GTK family were truly a family to him, and he had so many memories from those years. 

Chuck was an all-around outdoorsman and hunter, interested in primitive skills training, archery, hunting and fishing.  He had so many friendships and memories from being a member of Waxobe and the UBNJ during the years and always looked forward to the next event.  With his love of the outdoors, Chuck went on some fantastic journeys.  While he logged many trips, including bear hunting in Maine or Canada, salmon fishing in Alaska, antelope hunting in South Dakota, his best time was his trip to South Africa – hunting with Kevin and Chris while his Diana and Cynthia tagged along for the experience of another country.  Having that time with all of them was so very special. 

Chuck loved traveling in general – mostly when Tracy would make all the plans and he could tag along for the ride.  There are fantastic family vacation memories included in our Hipko family vacations to Maine, as well as trips to Disney World, road trips to PA and cruises to various destinations. 

Chuck was a NY Yankees and San Francisco ‘49ers fan, but he was most passionate in supporting his daughters and sons in their softball, baseball and football endeavors throughout the years.  Chuck was an avid fan, and a loud fan whose love and support could be felt (and heard) by his kids on the field.   

A graduate of Seton Hall University with a BA in Communications, Chuck joined the Sigma Phil Epsilon fraternity there and built relationships with his brothers that spanned the years since his graduation in 1991. 

Mostly, Chuck was a fantastic husband and father.  He fiercely loved his family, and we all loved him right back just as much.  Predeceased by his parents Charles and Beverly (nee Betzler) and brother Robert Rucinski, Chuck is survived by his loving wife of 30 years Tracy (nee Hipko), daughters Diana and Cynthia and son Chris; sister-in-law Erica Rucinski of Parrish, FL; brothers and sister-in-laws Gregory and Jill Rucinski of White Haven, PA and Bruce and Lisa Rucinski of Corolla, NC.  On the Hipko side, Chuck is survived by his father-in-law Pat Hipko, and brother/sister in laws Marty and Linda Hipko, Gary and Jill Hipko and LuAnn and Quinto Bacchetti (all of Milltown) and Brian and Noelle Hipko of Parker, CO. 

He is also survived by many, many nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly and was so glad to be a part of their lives, along with his uncle and aunt Bill and Judy Rucinski of Camas, WA. 

The family would like to thank the 3rd floor Neurocritical Intensive Care unit of Robert Wood Johnson hospital.  This team was absolutely exceptional in doing their very best to manage a critical situation and then provide care and comfort to Chuck and his family as we navigated through the organ donation process and end of life. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial donation for Chuck to one of the following organizations:

Milltown Rescue Squad

NJ Sharing Network

United Bowhunters of New Jersey (youth sports)

Everyday Heroes Dog Rescue