Charles "Chuck" Corjay
April 3, 1932 ~ March 17, 2019
Charles (Chuck) R. Corjay passed away peacefully on March 17, 2019, with his beloved wife Diane Clark at his side. He was born in Springfield, MA, on April 3, 1932 to John and Helen Solenski. He was the youngest of 3 sons and grew up in Springfield, MA.
Chuck served in the U.S. Air Force, active and reserve for 7.5 years. Airman First Class Corjay completed all of his active duty service at Lowry AFB, Colorado. He was honorably discharged after earning the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Colorado State Teachers College. Chuck is survived by wife Diane, and daughter, Marcy Corjay.
The Air Force values of Integrity, Service before self and Excellence in all we do, guided him throughout his life. Chuck was a Patriot, and his life reflected his values. His efforts to assist Wounded Warriors, foster government/industry technology interaction, encourage math and science education, and assist retiring military personnel with career transition are legendary.
Chuck forged a lifelong career in the IT business, where he built a reputation of honesty, integrity, and consummate professionalism. He retired from CACI in September 2012 as an Executive Vice President, concluding an almost fifty-year career in Federal Government business development. He worked with clients across the Department of Defense, the Federal government, and state and local governments. Within DoD, his experience includes automation; computer hardware and software; management information systems for large weapon systems; command, control, communications, and intelligence systems; and modeling and simulation programs. In 2007, he received the coveted Federal 100 Award for his pivotal role in the federal IT community.
Prior to the CACI/SofTech years, Chuck held a number of executive-level positions, including Computer Sciences Corporation, General Research Corporation, Control Data Corporation, Sperry Univac/Unisys and Philco-Ford. In each of these positions, he delivered high value through enterprise process redesign, systems reengineering, software development, and systems integration.
Chuck Corjay devoted a lot of time and energy to the advancement of the Northern Virginia professional cyber community. In many ways a pioneer, in promoting an engaged and ethical community of professionals, committed to excellence in government, service to community, and respect for those who served in the military and civil service. He was a life member of the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA); he formed, led, and supported the Northern Virginia Chapter of AFCEA, giving life and purpose to this important organization.
For 12 years, he served as the Regional Vice President for AFCEA International, supporting multiple chapters in the Midwest, Mid-South, and NCR In 1993, he received the General James Rockwell AFCEAN of the Year Award. In 1998, he earned the Admiral Boyes Medal for Distinguished Service to AFCEA; and in 2001 he received the AFCEA Chairman’s award for Superior Performance. Chuck is the only person to have received ALL three OF AFCEA’S HIGHEST awards. He has been AFCEA International Director; President of the Northern Virginia chapter, and Board member of the AFCEA/NOVA Chapter, the largest in AFCEA. He is also a Harry C. Ingles Award winner and has been a Distinguished Faculty Member for AFCEA Career Transition training for retiring military. Most notably, in 1994 he was the first recipient of the Northern Virginia AFCEAN of the Year Award, now known as “The Corjay Award” in his honor.
Chuck, affectionately called “Godfather,” was a friend, a mentor, and a coach to ALL those who came into his orbit. He was especially happy helping young leaders grow. His spirit and character are reflected in his vast network of friends from all walks of life—personal and professional, at CACI and at AFCEA. Each considered chuck a close friend, mentor, family member. chuck’s devotion to his friends and love of his family were legendary and are universally reciprocated. Chuck Corjay’s memory will live on in all who met him.
Mr. Corjay’s viewing and funeral services will be conducted at Money and King Funeral Home, 171 W. Maple Ave. Vienna, VA 22180 according to the schedule below.
• Viewing: Sunday March 24th : 1:00 to 4:00
• Funeral: Monday, March 25th 10:00
• Interment: Immediately following the funeral, interment services will be conducted for at Chestnut Grove Cemetery, 831 Dranesville Road Herndon, VA 20170
CHARLES RICHARD “CHUCK” CORJAY SCHOLARSHIP AWARD
Mr. Chuck Corjay was the driving force for many of the Armed Forces Communications Electronics Association’s (AFCEA) achievements over many decades. However, his most far-reaching and lasting contributions are the leadership and energy he provided to the Northern Virginia (NOVA) Chapter’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Education Programs. These programs range from the “Adopt a School Program” that provides funding for educational projects at local Elementary and Secondary Schools, to support for local Science Fairs, and most significantly, the STEM Scholarship program. Since its inception, the AFCEA NOVA Scholarship Program has awarded more than $1 million in scholarships to more than 400 recipients.
In recognition of Chuck’s efforts, in 2015 the AFCEA NOVA Chapter established the annual “Chuck Corjay Educational Scholarship” in his honor. This scholarship, which in accordance with the chapter By Laws shall be awarded annually, is presented to a student with exemplary backgrounds of service to the country and community, academic accomplishment and commitment to pursuing STEM degrees in fields that support national security. This award recognizes Chuck’s unflinching, continued contributions to the Chapter’s STEM education programs.
Through his accomplishments, he has symbolized what it means to be a volunteer, leader and patriotic citizen. He has given back to the community in many ways, but was especially devoted to fostering the education of Veterans in STEM, with a special place in his heart for Wounded Warriors.
The scholarship is funded by the Chapter’s Education Foundation. To support the foundation, you may write a check payable to “NOVA Chapter AFCEA Educational Fund” and mail it to the below address. Please indicate on the memo portion of the check “for the Corjay Scholarship”
To contribute online please visit https://nova.afceachapters.org/chuck-corjay-tribute
ATT: AFCEA NOVA Education Foundation
2800 Eisenhower Ave, Suite 210
Alexandria, VA 22314
Your contribution may be tax deductible.
The AFCEA NOVA Chapter and the Education Foundation thank you.
Chuck served in the U.S. Air Force, active and reserve for 7.5 years. Airman First Class Corjay completed all of his active duty service at Lowry AFB, Colorado. He was honorably discharged after earning the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Colorado State Teachers College. Chuck is survived by wife Diane, and daughter, Marcy Corjay.
The Air Force values of Integrity, Service before self and Excellence in all we do, guided him throughout his life. Chuck was a Patriot, and his life reflected his values. His efforts to assist Wounded Warriors, foster government/industry technology interaction, encourage math and science education, and assist retiring military personnel with career transition are legendary.
Chuck forged a lifelong career in the IT business, where he built a reputation of honesty, integrity, and consummate professionalism. He retired from CACI in September 2012 as an Executive Vice President, concluding an almost fifty-year career in Federal Government business development. He worked with clients across the Department of Defense, the Federal government, and state and local governments. Within DoD, his experience includes automation; computer hardware and software; management information systems for large weapon systems; command, control, communications, and intelligence systems; and modeling and simulation programs. In 2007, he received the coveted Federal 100 Award for his pivotal role in the federal IT community.
Prior to the CACI/SofTech years, Chuck held a number of executive-level positions, including Computer Sciences Corporation, General Research Corporation, Control Data Corporation, Sperry Univac/Unisys and Philco-Ford. In each of these positions, he delivered high value through enterprise process redesign, systems reengineering, software development, and systems integration.
Chuck Corjay devoted a lot of time and energy to the advancement of the Northern Virginia professional cyber community. In many ways a pioneer, in promoting an engaged and ethical community of professionals, committed to excellence in government, service to community, and respect for those who served in the military and civil service. He was a life member of the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA); he formed, led, and supported the Northern Virginia Chapter of AFCEA, giving life and purpose to this important organization.
For 12 years, he served as the Regional Vice President for AFCEA International, supporting multiple chapters in the Midwest, Mid-South, and NCR In 1993, he received the General James Rockwell AFCEAN of the Year Award. In 1998, he earned the Admiral Boyes Medal for Distinguished Service to AFCEA; and in 2001 he received the AFCEA Chairman’s award for Superior Performance. Chuck is the only person to have received ALL three OF AFCEA’S HIGHEST awards. He has been AFCEA International Director; President of the Northern Virginia chapter, and Board member of the AFCEA/NOVA Chapter, the largest in AFCEA. He is also a Harry C. Ingles Award winner and has been a Distinguished Faculty Member for AFCEA Career Transition training for retiring military. Most notably, in 1994 he was the first recipient of the Northern Virginia AFCEAN of the Year Award, now known as “The Corjay Award” in his honor.
Chuck, affectionately called “Godfather,” was a friend, a mentor, and a coach to ALL those who came into his orbit. He was especially happy helping young leaders grow. His spirit and character are reflected in his vast network of friends from all walks of life—personal and professional, at CACI and at AFCEA. Each considered chuck a close friend, mentor, family member. chuck’s devotion to his friends and love of his family were legendary and are universally reciprocated. Chuck Corjay’s memory will live on in all who met him.
Mr. Corjay’s viewing and funeral services will be conducted at Money and King Funeral Home, 171 W. Maple Ave. Vienna, VA 22180 according to the schedule below.
• Viewing: Sunday March 24th : 1:00 to 4:00
• Funeral: Monday, March 25th 10:00
• Interment: Immediately following the funeral, interment services will be conducted for at Chestnut Grove Cemetery, 831 Dranesville Road Herndon, VA 20170
CHARLES RICHARD “CHUCK” CORJAY SCHOLARSHIP AWARD
Mr. Chuck Corjay was the driving force for many of the Armed Forces Communications Electronics Association’s (AFCEA) achievements over many decades. However, his most far-reaching and lasting contributions are the leadership and energy he provided to the Northern Virginia (NOVA) Chapter’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Education Programs. These programs range from the “Adopt a School Program” that provides funding for educational projects at local Elementary and Secondary Schools, to support for local Science Fairs, and most significantly, the STEM Scholarship program. Since its inception, the AFCEA NOVA Scholarship Program has awarded more than $1 million in scholarships to more than 400 recipients.
In recognition of Chuck’s efforts, in 2015 the AFCEA NOVA Chapter established the annual “Chuck Corjay Educational Scholarship” in his honor. This scholarship, which in accordance with the chapter By Laws shall be awarded annually, is presented to a student with exemplary backgrounds of service to the country and community, academic accomplishment and commitment to pursuing STEM degrees in fields that support national security. This award recognizes Chuck’s unflinching, continued contributions to the Chapter’s STEM education programs.
Through his accomplishments, he has symbolized what it means to be a volunteer, leader and patriotic citizen. He has given back to the community in many ways, but was especially devoted to fostering the education of Veterans in STEM, with a special place in his heart for Wounded Warriors.
The scholarship is funded by the Chapter’s Education Foundation. To support the foundation, you may write a check payable to “NOVA Chapter AFCEA Educational Fund” and mail it to the below address. Please indicate on the memo portion of the check “for the Corjay Scholarship”
To contribute online please visit https://nova.afceachapters.org/chuck-corjay-tribute
ATT: AFCEA NOVA Education Foundation
2800 Eisenhower Ave, Suite 210
Alexandria, VA 22314
Your contribution may be tax deductible.
The AFCEA NOVA Chapter and the Education Foundation thank you.
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Please allow me to offer my condolences to the, Corjay family, by sharing a Scriptural hope. “And he [God] will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” – Rev. 21:4. This is the hope of the resurrection. I am very sorry for your loss. May God’s Word comfort the, Corjay family and all those who loved, Mr. Charles. Sincerely, Meryl, jw.org – healingwordsforu@gmail.com
My husband and I send our deepest condolences over the the loss of this wonderful man. I met Chuck while employed at the Defense Information Systems Agency, but my best memories of him will always be at the annual AFCEA NOVA Valentines Day Ball. He gathered his team and planned a lovely evening for all of us, year after year, one that took us away from our busy lives to just enjoy our partners. He came up with the idea to include a special table for wounded warriors and that made the Ball even more special. Chuck was so very kind, a true gentleman, and we will all feel his loss. Sadly, we cannot join you in person to celebrate his life but we will be there in spirit. We are all better people for having known Chuck.
Chuck Corjay was a leader among his peers. A very loyal AFCEAN leading many significant initiatives for the good of the military, govt and industry. He was a personality larger than life, and was completely loyal to his country. He was a patriot.
We will all miss Chuck: AFCEA , federal IT industry, friends and family.
I offer my deepest condolences to his family.
Chuck Corjay was the lifeblood of AFCEA in the Northern Virginia area and was the best AFCEA Regional Vice President when I was Chairman of the Board of AFCEA. His invitation to Lee Greenwood to come and personally sing Chuck’s favorite song –Proud to be an American– at one of the Valentine Balls will always be Jacquie’s and my fondest memory of Chuck. He loved this Country, he loved AFCEA and what it stands for and he loved giving back to our young people through scholarships and support to our wounded warriors. Our prayers and warmest thought to Chuck’s family. Al and Jacquie Edmonds
Chuck was a mentor me as I served the AFCEA community and within CACI. My wife Ellen-Sue and I always looked forward to the Valentine’s Day ball and he always made it memorable. Ellen-Sue and I offer our prayers and wishes for celebration of a live well-lived.
Tom and Ellen-Sue Ryan
My sincere condolences to Chuck’s family. He will be missed, but not forgotten.
No amount of words can mend your heartache in this time of sorrow. Know that you have the support of friends and family to help your grieve.
No amount of words can mend your heartache in this time of sorrow. Know that you have the support of friends and family to help your grieve.
LTC (ret) Louisa Jaffe and I were fledgling business owners and Chuck helped us spread our wings within AFCEA. He was a great help, and will be missed.
My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends who loved, admired, and respected Chuck. He was truly an Ambassador for AFCEA and a great American. He will be deeply missed!
A GREAT Mentor, you will be missed. Rest in Peace, “Mr. Corjay”!
Even though I just started here at CACI on 3-18-19, I’ve had a few experiences in the past with Chuck that I’d like to share. When my husband, James, and I lived in the DC area, we were actively involved with AFCEA, attending many of the events as a couple. I have fond memories of attending the Annual AFCEA Valentine’s Day Balls each February and dancing alongside Chuck and his bride. What is most memorable to me, however, is Chuck’s deep and true devotion to our fallen and missing Warriors. At every AFCEA event, he ensured there was a Missing Man Table set up to honor these Warriors. He would introduce the table, and with heart-felt tears, would always remind us of the sacrifices these brave men and women gave to us and our great United States of America. Chuck, we honor you this day and know that you are dancing with all those Warriors whom you remembered every day of your life. Godspeed Sir! Donna & James Buckner
I’m sorry to hear about the loss of your loved one. When someone we love dies, it’s natural to want to see that person again. God promises us that He will comfort us in our trials if we go to him in prayer. 2 Corinthians 1:3 calls him the God of all comfort. I’d like to share with y’all this link that shows 12 steps on coping with grief that is good for sharing. I have personally found this very comforting and I hope y’all do as well. https://www.jw.org/finder?wtlocale=E&docid=102018086&srcid=share
Without Chuck, I would not have had the courage to speak up and get involved with AFCEA. He pulled me out of a crowd, asked questions, and got me engaged as a green 25 year old. I’ll never forget him for bringing me into the fold. He was a trusted adviser and mentor, and will be missed. He led a good life and affected more people than can be named.
My kids called you “The Boss,” My wife “Sweet Chuck,” I had the privilege to call you my good friend. Semper Fi
A candle was lit for the decedent.
Thank you Chuck for bringing sunshine to my precious Cousin Diane! You will be greatly missed!
Chuck gave so much of himself to our military service members, young IT professionals, and AFCEA community that his passing leaves a tangible void. Additionally, he was a kind and good neighbor in the Forest Hills community with his lovely wife Diane Clark. Our condolences to Diane and family, and a final farewell salute to Chuck.
What a wonderful man in so many respects and loving husband to my dear friend, Diane. We are so very sorry for your loss . With our deepest sympathy to you and the family, Anne and Rick Casali
A candle was lit for the decedent.
I had the pleasure of working with Chuck for many years at CACI. He always brought a smile to my face and had a great attitude toward life. He is truly one of the nicest men I’ve ever known. My sincerest condolences to his entire family. -Jim McGuirk-