Auxiliarist Charles Baack

This past July Charles celebrated his 90th birthday.   His neighbors from the cul-de-sac where he lives surprised him with a block party.  In addition to his local “extended family” it was attended by his family who traveled from Maine for the celebration.  Many local dignitaries were also in attendance.

Charles is currently an active member of Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 17 in Sayville, New York.  Not only is he an active member, he currently serves as the Flotilla Vice Commander and the Information Services officer.  Charles is very meticulous about his record keeping activities and hopes that he can remain as the information officer for some time to come.

His official Auxiliary activities are not restricted to administrative tasks.  He also performs operational duties whenever the opportunity arises.  In addition to actively operating as a vessel safety examiner, he maintains active status as a Coxswain patrolling Long Island’s Great South Bay in his 24’ boat, “My Way.”  He is a strong advocate of educational programs and conducts many boating safety classes for both youth and adults.

Auxiliary Flotilla 17 came about as an offshoot of a flotilla in Patchogue, New York which Charles had been involved with for about two years.  On February 28, 1978, District Commodore Robert Didio presented the charter to the new flotilla with eighteen members under the capable leadership of Commander Arnold Rayber and Vice Commander Charles W. Baack.  Charles served as Vice Commander for the first two years after the flotilla’s formation.  He later went on to serve as Flotilla Commander for 3 terms at various time frames.

WWII Engineer Baack

His indoctrination into sea faring activities started back in the 1940’s when he enlisted in the Navy and served as a First Class Engineer aboard the Landing Ship “USS LST-1085” in the Pacific during World War II.

Charles, a widower, met an Irish girl from Brooklyn named Anne Gloria Curley while working for her family.  They married shortly thereafter and remained happily married for 58 years until her death in 2000.  Their son, Kevin Charles, was born while Charles was underway in the Pacific.  Charles is blessed with two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

After leaving the Navy, he worked at various positions for about 12 years prior to starting his own business as a flooring contractor.  While serving on the Board of Education for the Sachem School District, six schools were built during a period of rapid expansion.  

His interest of the water is what prompted him to join the Coast Guard Auxiliary.  His first boat experience began with the 7 ½ hp engine that his wife bought him because she thought he needed some kind of hobby.  Well, now that he owned an engine, he had to go out and find himself a boat!  He purchased a 16’ cedar strip boat prior to the war. 

When he returned from the war, he purchased an 18’ boat built in Germany as part of the United States Lend-Lease program intended to help rebuild Europe.  He named the boat “Anne G” after his wife.  Anne joined the flotilla shortly after Charles and held the position of flotilla secretary for many years.  She also served as a volunteer at Brookhaven Memorial Hospital until her passing.

After operating the “Anne G” for a few years, he found out that you could get a better view of the water from a fly bridge.  It was over 20 years ago that he learned this tidbit and purchased a boat with a fly bridge which he still owns.  The boat, “My Way” is a 24’ gasoline powered single-screw boat that he uses when patrolling under orders.

Speaking of over 20 years ago, it has been that long since he first became qualified as a watchstander.  He was recently honored at a ceremony held at U.S. Coast Guard Station Fire Island by Chief Warrant Officer Michael Tollefson, the commanding officer of Station Fire Island.  He was cited for more than 20 years as a volunteer radio watchstander at the Fire Island facility.

CWO Tollefson and Auxiliarist Charles Baack

A special plaque has been placed in the Fire Island Communications Room in his honor.  The area has been informally named “Charley Baack Comms Shack”.   Recently Charles also was honored at Coast Guard Station Jones Beach by Bernadette Castro, New York State Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, for his service as a NY State Safe Boating Instructor.

In addition to standing communications watch at Fire Island, Charles has been a licensed ham radio operator for 15 years.  He is also qualified for and owns Auxiliary Fixed Land and Mobile radio facilities 

Charles is a great believer in passing on the knowledge that he has acquired over the years.  He is ‘thirsty for knowledge’ and believes that you should learn something new every day. 

He possesses a wealth of knowledge from his years of practical experience and formal education.  He holds an AUXOP (Operational Auxiliarist) rating and he believes that the public education programs offered by the Auxiliary are very successful.  He has taught many classes locally and maintains his instructor qualifications.  He continues to increase his proficiency in computers and still loves to tinker with machinery.

Charles tries to divide his time between Auxiliary functions and his church where he is an active supporter and leader in his congregation.  In his spare time, he writes articles for the church newsletter. 

Charles is a great asset to Flotilla 17, the Coast Guard Auxiliary and to all those that come in contact with him.  He has a great positive attitude and believes that, “When one door closes, another one opens.”

Congratulations to Charles as he enters his 91st year and best wishes for many years of continued success!