ForeverMissed
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Superbowl XI

February 27, 2016

I haven't seen Mr. Sipple (I'm almost 53 but he will always be Mr. Sipple) in decades.  I remember being devastated when the Sipples moved back to New York and giving my entire baseball card collection to Greg not knowing what else to do.  Of course they returned before I even stopped crying and he had used most of them in his bike spokes but whatcha gonna do? I too had a famous Dad who knew everyone but while mine was off changing the world,  the Sipples included me in their family life and believe me I was a handful.  I will always be grateful to this man and his family for showing me compassion and how to just have a great time when I was a kid.  Well maybe not Scott,  he always thought I was annoying, but the rest of them for sure! As I once wrote in a song chorus "I used to be a bother back when I was a kid.  I learned how to be a Father, by doing what Chuck Sipple always did"  Heaven is going to have a much better welcome buffet when we get there now! God bless you... 

March 30, 2015

I first met Charlie as a client when I was in NYC. Over the years we stayed in touch and every once in a while we would see each other. He was indeed the consumate gentleman, and while we hadn't seen each other for a few years I thought of him often. Jeanie nd I send our sincere condolences to Ellie, though late they may be.

Rest in Peace Our Dear Friend

June 3, 2014
We were shocked and so sad learning of Charlie’s passing, and we still cannot comprehend it.  No longer will we be able to pick up the phone and call him.  No longer will there be e-mails awaiting us from him.  And who will greet us each time we meet; a void was created and cannot be fixed.   Our family first met Charlie at the International Association of Airport Duty Free Stores (IAADFS) trade show over twenty two years ago in Orlando, FL.  Instantaneously we became friends, and our friendship has deepened and strengthened ever since.    It became immediately evident that Charlie was one of the best people in the wine and spirits industry and in duty free.  He was always very helpful in extending a listening ear, a guiding suggestion, advice and feedback.  In short, he became a mentor.     Over the years, we exhibited at different shows, traveled together and shared many ideas.  Charlie was very knowledgable, and it was a pleasure talking with him and getting his advice.  He had a very unique and elegant way of analyzing material, evaluating options and expressing his views.  He did not thrust his will, but it almost always became reality.   We used to share many stories of our lives.  Many times he mentioned to me that we think in similar ways, that we are very proud of our wives, our children and especially their achievements.    My dear friend Charlie, need I say how extraordinary and wonderful a person you were, and how much I value our friendship?     Join us on a brief tour of memory lane, as we celebrate a life that was truncated and left us aching.   Dear Ellie, Scott and Greg, please accept our deepest condolences. We lost a very dear friend, whose memory - like life - is a blessing.   Dr. Bussel and family.

A true gentleman

May 29, 2014

A true gentleman and a legend departed us on 21st May 2014 however our memories of this great man will live with us forever.

 

I first met Charlie 17 years ago in San Francisco and from there we met on a regular basis when I visited the USA with Merrys Irish Cream. Charlie guided me through the drinks industry with many the dinner at Rosewoods in Rosemont IL and when the chips were down Charlie introduced me to the Johnson Family in the twin cities in 2001. After Charlie and Ellie moved to Florida we met in Boca Raton for dinner and we had great times together. In 2010 I invited Charlie and Ellie to our wedding in Ireland and I received an immediate acceptance, little did I know until the day before the wedding that Charlie informed me that we were about to share the same wedding anniversary.

 

After Charlie and Ellie moved to Florida I began staying in downtown Chicago and one day while walking down Michigan Avenue I was talking with Charlie by phone and I told him that I regarded him as my second father for all the help and advice he had given me over the years. He was so chuffed…….

 

Charlie……Thank you for everything you did for me.

 

Jonathan Duffy

So long old friend.......

May 29, 2014

Charlie and I were supposed to have lunch together next month in Fort Lauderdale.....I can't even fathom your loss of the big guy, Ellie and family.

Back in the '60's and '70's, Charlie knew my dad, Bud Deery, who was first Export Director at Hiram Walker & Sons Ltd and later as a spirits importer and distributor in the Virgin Islands.

He was one of the first salesmen I saw when I started working for Jerry Howie at Ed Mehrige at Florida Export in 1980.

I joined Jim Beam right after their purchase of National Distillers as a regional national accounts manager for Charlie's final boss, Lee Einsidler. But both Lee and Charlie knew I really wanted to be back in the international side of the business. Charlie gave me that chance - of a lifetime.

Charlie is the one man in my life that really nurtured me when I was just growing up under his watchful and guiding ways, first as his assistant regional military manager working for dear Jack Blaisdell, and later becoming Export & Duty Free Manager.

I eventually went on to become Beam's first worldwide duty free director. All because of Charlie, and my youthful eagerness to learn from him.  During all that time, Charlie was always there, always available, always helpful, always direct and to the point. He taught me so much of what I used throughout my 25 plus years in Duty Free. 

Over the years since, we have occassionally run into each other or grabbed a meal at one of the shows. It was always a warm pleasure to be with him. He was always so interested to learn of happenings in my life and to talk so lovingly about his wife Ellie and the kids, all of them.

I was supposed to have lunch with Charlie in a couple of weeks. This wasn't supposed to happen. I am so sad, yet so very happy to have known this wonderful human being, my friend Charlie. You are missed.

But, I'll take a raincheck on that lunch!

Patrick Deery 

Rest in Peace Charlie

May 27, 2014

It was a true pleasure to have met Charlie almost 4 years ago when I came to work at SFIC.   Charlie was always so humble and kind to others and made everyone feel so appreciated.   I am very thankful to have known Charlie and can honestly say that he will be missed greatly.    I think that everyone who came in contact with Charlie is a much better person for having known him.   

Rest in Peace Charlie Sipple.

Media coverage

May 27, 2014

thank you charlie

May 26, 2014

i don't think you could ever say enough about this extraordinary man. you could start with kindness, loving, strong, caring, so nonselfish, gentle, and that would only be the beginning.  i think anyone who met charlie had something wonderful to say about him, and had some loving experience with him.  i myself can't understand why a man like this was taken away from us when he was so needed here.  thank you charlie for all the goodness you did here.  you will be missed and never forgotton . again thank you! charlie from all of us and the animals you helped.

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