Body
WHEREAS, born on August 13, 1921 in Crew, Virginia, Charles Leroy Daniels and his family moved to Pittsburgh in the early nineteen thirties. Charlie became interested in boxing at the age of 17 and soon became known as the “Pittsburgh Puncher”. Charlie attended public school and graduated from the Fifth Avenue High School in 1939. In 1949, he joined the Central Baptist Church and was an active member. He sang in the choir and served on the Senior Men's Usher Board; and
WHEREAS, Working out of the Gateway Athletic Club in the Hill District and his own dynamic Daniels Athletic Club, Charlie Daniels dominated the amateur boxing arena in the City of Pittsburgh. Charlie, later, affectionately known as “The Champ,” was instrumental in challenging the youth to become disciplined, taking them off the streets making effective changes in their young age as amateur boxers. “The Champ” made a direct impact on the youth. He was a member of the Amateur Athletic Association of the Amateur Athletic Union (AAA of the AAU) thrusting boxing teams to boxing championships at the Southside Recreational Center. The Champ trained many youth and conducted amateur bouts at the Hill District YMCA; and
WHEREAS, While the names of the people whom Charlie has had an impact on are far too many to mention, Ed “Cutie Pie” Chambers and “Chisolm”, who now have their own fighters, are among the many. Also among these names include City of Pittsburgh Police Officer Robert White, Ernie Sharif, former fighters Ronnie “Bird” White, Mitchell Brown, Ernie and Danny Ruffin, Gary Robinson, “Major”, and Boxer Verquan Kimbrough. Charlie devoted many years with over 85 fighters, supporters and associates of the sport of boxing and he extended his outstanding services to the community even extending the sport of boxing to women as far back as the 1970's. His devotion in the service of boxing was extended to all without discrimination; and
WHEREAS, Charlie married Melvena Holland and fathere...
Click here for full text