Charles J. Werger

Charles Joseph Werger,78

West Sand Lake-Charles Joseph Werger,78, well known area attorney, of Werger Road, died Saturday, July 29, 2006 at Albany Medical Center Hospital in Albany after a brief illness.

Born in West Sand Lake, he was the son of the late Harry Grant Werger and Ellen (Felter) Werger and husband for 57 years of Marjorie G. Carpenter Werger.

He had resided on Werger Road in West Sand Lake all his life and was a 1945 graduate of Averill Park High School; earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Union College in January of 1949 and his L.L.B and J.D. degrees from Albany Law School in 1952 .

He served in the US Marine Corps from 1952-1988 and served as trial counsel and defense counsel as well as Legal Officer, Finance Officer, Adjutant and Administrative Officer. He returned to private practice in 1955 with the firm of Dunne and Lee in Troy. He retired from the US Marine Corp Reserves in 1988 after 36 years with rank of Lt. Col.

Mr. Werger was admitted to practice before all NY and Federal Courts in September 1952 and admitted to practice before US Court of Military Appeals in 1953. He began private general practice of law in 1960 in West Sand Lake and continued until his passing at 16 Werger Road in West Sand Lake.

He served in many public capacities including the first assistant District Attorney for Rensselaer County from 1969 to July 1983, the first Town Attorney for Town of Sand Lake from 1956-1979, Town Attorney for the Town of Poestenkill (5 years) and Attorney for the West Sand Lake Fire District #1 since 1956.

He was a Life Member and Past Commander from 1993-94 and 1995-96 of the Sgt. Walter Adams American Legion Post # 1021, Judge Advocate for Post #1021 since 1956, a Life Member of the Marine Corps League, Troy Detachment, Judge Advocate for the Troy Detachment since 1957, Senior Vice Commandant for the Dept. of New York

Chaplain and the Dept. of New York Marine Corps League from 1994-1995. He was also a member of the Watervliet Lodge of Elks # 1500, the Reserve Officers Association, Watervliet Arsenal Canon Club, Sand Lake Republican Club, NY Veteran s Council and a Life Member of the West Sand Lake Fire Company.

Survivors in addition to his wife include a daughter, Martha E. Ezell (Kevin) of Dryden, NY; two sons, H. Charles Werger (Oneida) of Hampshire, TN and Matthew P. Werger (Dena) of West Sand Lake; five grandchildren, Matthew Kevin Ezell and Stephen and Christopher Ezell, Matthew P. Werger Jr., Joseph William Werger and Kyle F. Kresse. He was predeceased by two brothers, Harry J. and William J. Werger.

Funeral service will be held Wednesday at 11:00 AM at the DeGraaf-Bryce Funeral Home Inc. 4392 Route 150 in West Sand Lake.

Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home Tuesday from 2-4 and 6-8pm.

Interment Elmwood Cemetery in West Sand Lake.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in memory of Chuck Werger to the West Sand Lake Fire Company PO Box 539 West Sand Lake, NY 12196 or Sgt. Walter Adams American Legion Post #1021 Averill Park, NY 12018.

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