Charles “Charlie” Francis Hendricks, 82, a resident of Cape May, N.J., passed away peacefully Oct. 2, 2025, surrounded by his family.
Born in New Brunswick, N.J., on June 7, 1943, Charlie was the son of Aloysius and Dorothy Hendricks. He attended St. Peter’s Grammar and High School before graduating from Rutgers University, where he was a member of the Economics Honor Society and a Distinguished Military Graduate through the ROTC program.
He later earned an MBA from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business. After graduation, Charlie was commissioned as an officer in the United States Army, where he proudly served before beginning his professional career in the private sector.
Charlie began his career at Price Waterhouse, later joining Cresap McCormick and Towers Perrin, where he rose to the position of vice president. He went on to establish his own consulting firm, Hendricks & Associates, specializing in work with local governments and public sector organizations. His clients included the College of Emergency Physicians, the Arab League, CBS, the Virginia Lottery, the city of Los Angeles, the municipality of Anchorage, the cities of Annapolis and Ocean City (Maryland), and the counties of Montgomery and Prince George.
In addition to his consulting work, Charlie authored “The Rightsizing Remedy: How Managers Can Respond to the Downsizing Dilemma” (1992), a book that reflected his deep expertise and humanistic approach to organizational leadership as a nationally recognized compensation expert.
Charlie is survived by his wife of 46 years, Patricia Ann (Tricia) Gray. They met in 1977 and were married in 1979. He is also survived by his son, Charles Jr., daughter-in-law Lauren and two beloved granddaughters, Frankie and Drew. In addition, he is survived by his older brother, John, of Morris County.
Those who knew Charlie are well aware of his dedication to improving Cape May County, a community he loved deeply. He served as president of the Concerned Citizens for the Preservation of Sewell Tract, leading efforts to secure permanent protection for the 100-acre Sewell Tract in Cape May.
Through determined advocacy and collaboration with local stakeholders, he helped resolve a decades-long legal dispute that ultimately safeguarded the land from development — setting a lasting precedent for citizen-led environmental stewardship in the community.
He was also an active member and former president of the Kiwanis Club of Cape May, working alongside others to serve children and families in need. Through these efforts, Charlie embodied his lifelong belief in the importance of service, stewardship and leaving his community stronger for the next generation.
To honor and celebrate Charlie’s life, relatives and friends will be received from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 10, at Spilker Funeral Home, 815 Washington St. in Cape May, with his memorial ceremony beginning at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Cape May Kiwanis Scholarship Fund.
Charlie will be remembered for his integrity, his devotion to family and his steadfast commitment to improving the lives of others. He was equally known for his quick wit and wry sense of humor, which could spark laughter in even the most serious of rooms. He leaves behind a legacy of service, love, laughter and kindness.
