Charles Gardaphe was born July 14, 1899.  We believe Charles had a younger brother (Fred, born January 21, 1905). 

Charles married Mildred (born December 22, 1901).  Charles and Mildred moved to Westchester in 1928 and was one of the first of three families to move into Westchester.  They resided at 738 Newcastle Avenue.  One of the two temporary schools was located in the house on the north side of Gardaphes. 

Charles was employed by the William Zelosky Company -- one of the primary 'movers' behind the early development of Westchester.  Charles served as Zelosky's first Westchester real estate sales manager.  Due to the Depression homebuilding remained stagnant until 1933 when homebuiling in open areas of Westchester resumed.

On January 9, 1929, Mildred and Charles became the proud parents of the first child born in the young Village of Westchester, William Gardaphe.  William was named after Charles' employer, William Zelosky.  Mr. and Mrs. Gardaphe received $100 from Zelosky at the birth of their William.

Charles Gardaphe helped start the Westchester volunteer police and fire departments, and talked about the signal light on a 100-foot pole which called them to emergency duty.

At one time Charles and Mildred had a co-op grocery store in their garage.  Charles also worked for Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Co. and Air Reduction Sales, distributing oxygen and acetylene to hospitals and industries. He was employed by North American Car, which later became "Flying Tiger". 

William had an older sister, Lorraine.  In the picture to the right we can see the Gardaphe home in the background.

Lorraine and William also had a brother, Robert.

The Gardaphes saw the slow growth of the Village of Westchester through the depression, the building 'boom' starting in the 1950s and much more.  Here we see Charles, Mildred and Lorraine at the same home as in the two previous pictures.

Charles retired at the age of 67.  He was a member of Knights of Columbus, and was the first president of Divine Infant Senior Citizens Club.  He also received an award from the Westchester Chamber of Commerce for service to the community.

An adult William is pictured to the right.

Lorraine became Mrs. Lorraine Bergren and still resides in Westchester near 31^st and Wolf Road.

Mildred passed away in October of 1985 and Charles in June of 1990.

Last Modified:  02/03/2002