Charles Joseph

Bakunas

BAKUNAS, Charles J., on August 22, 2012, of Cliffside Park, NJ, age. 81. Mr. Bakunas was born at his home, 316 3rd St., Cliffside Park in 1930. The home was originally acquired by his parents Jerome Sr. and Adele Bakunas in 1922. His passing now ends a family history of 90 years of residing on 3rd Street. He graduated from Cliffside Park High School and served in the United States Marines during the Korean Conflict. He went to NYU and received and undergraduate and masters degree in Dramatic Arts and English. He appeared in several productions at Summer Stock in Cooperstown, NY and was an avid Broadway theater goer. Charles taught English and Drama at Riverdell Regional High School where he coached several students who went on to win first prizes in oratorical contests for the National Forensic League. Along with Dr. Richard Barrows and Emil Sanzari, his lifelong and dearest friend, also a teacher at Paramus High School, he directed several original music reviews which motivated three of his students to go into Broadway and film careers. Mr. Bakunas also appeared in many of the annual musical productions at both Riverdell and a few professional theatres. Among his favorite roles, were his appearances in "Guys and Dolls", "The King and I", and "Brigadoon". Mr. Bakunas was never married but leaves behind three generations of nieces and nephews. Funeral from the A.K. Macagna Funeral Home 495 Anderson Ave., Cliffside Park, NJ on Monday August 27, 2012, at 10:00am thence to St. John the Baptist RC Church, Fairview, NJ, where a Funeral Mass will be offered at 11:00am. Interment to follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Hackensack, NJ. Visiting hours Saturday 7-9pm and Sunday 2-4 and 7-9pm.