Charles M. Barclay of Hilltown Township, PA and Bay Head, NJ crossed the bar March 14, 2024, at the age of 88.  He was preceded in death by his first wife Faith Abbott, his sister Jane Barbour, and his wife of 46 years Nancy Pannebaker Barclay.

Born in Chestnut Hill, Charlie was the son of Charles W. and Marion (Rivinus) Barclay.  He grew up in Blue Bell, on the active colonial era Wyndrise farm (now called Barclay Hill).  Charlie attended William Penn Charter School in Philadelphia and graduated from St. Andrews Academy in Delaware, class of '54.

He was an athlete, playing football, soccer, and tennis at Penn Charter, St. Andrews, and University of Pennsylvania, lettering in each sport.  Charlie joined Delta Psi fraternity (St. A's) and graduated in 1958.  He stayed in touch with friends and fraternity brothers in a football game.  Using a repurposed toilet bowl and tank for a beverage cooler, the Annual Toilet Bowl game tradition ran for 50 years!

Charlie followed a long family tradition serving in the First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry, a National Guard unit, in 1954.  While on active duty, he competed in the prestigious cavalry competition for the Border Plate.  Historically, the Troop served under General George Washington.  He rose to the rank of Sergeant before retiring from the active roster in 1963.  He remained an Honorary Sergeant and active supporter of the Troop until his death.  Charlie and family cherished the annual Troop memorial service commemorating Washington.

Charlie worked for the Insurance Company of North America, later CIGNA.  Working with the Army Corps of Engineers, he helped with the design/build of a Chesapeake Canal bridge.  He went to the Wharton School for post graduate work and earned his Professional Engineering (PE) certification in 1975.  As a Fire Protection Engineering specialist, Charlie worked to mitigate risks for commercial properties including the World Trade Center.  He retired in 1997.

Charlie married Faith Abbott in 1955.  They had sons Christopher, Andrew, and Charles.  The couple moved to Red Stone Farm in Hilltown Township in 1968.

Charlie married Nancy Pannebaker in 1973.  Nancy helped Charlie raise the three boys; and daughters Jane and Jean soon followed.  The couple shared many interests in their long life on Redstone Farm which became an ideal place to raise horses, chickens, dogs, geese, cats, and children.

Charlie's lifelong passion for sailing spanned eight decades.  He began with a wooden Sneak Box in 1947 winning the Barnegat Bay Yacht Racing Association (BBYRA) championships in 1952 and 1953.  He was nationally competitive in the Comet class for nearly a decade; and won the local BBYRA championship in 1961.  Charlie also raced Stars and offshore yachts.  On a stormy Annapolis to Newport Race, in Force 10 conditions, Charlie saved a crew member from being swept overboard in 30' seas.  He returned to small boats with a 24' Corinthian Yacht Club One Design named s/v Blue Cloud which now resides at the Independence Seaport Museum.

Bay Head Yacht Club (BHYC) became a second home where he embraced all aspects of the club.  For many years he served as committee chair for junior sailing, senior sailing, and race committee.  During that time, he was selected to the Board of Trustees and to Rear Commodore.  Charlie had a long-storied career on the water, winning many races and awards in his B-Cat s/v Catspurr and Sandpiper s/v Bobcat.  In 2012, Charlie won the BBYRA Championship in the Sanderling with his daughter Jean.  Winning the 2023 BHYC Fall Series turned out to be the finale of his sailing career.  When not racing, he would take his m/v, Aunt Nancy, out to watch others compete.

Charlie's love for sailing meant promoting the legacy to family and new friends.  This generosity included coaching newcomers, loaning boats, buying boats, and funding kids to championships regattas.

Charlie's management contributions to local government, professional and fraternal organizations were highly regarded.  He was national Secretary for the American Society of Fire Protection Engineers.  He was national Secretary for the Delta Alumni Association.  He was a 25+ year member/Chairperson of the Hilltown Township Planning Commission.

Charlie belonged to Bay Head Yacht Club, Corinthian Yacht Club of Philadelphia, Merion Cricket Club, Philadelphia Club, and Sunnybrook Golf Club.

Charlie emphasized the importance of military service which was carried forth by sons and grandson.

Charlie is survived by five children and their spouses:  Christopher and Sheryl Barclay, Andrew and Joan Barclay, Charles and Carol Barclay, Jane and Paul Lizell, and Jean and Mark Mastrangelo.  Charlie has eleven grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren.

Services are planned for 11am on Friday, April 5, 2024, at Presbyterian Church of Deep Run,16 Irish Meeting House Road, Perkasie, PA.  A second service is planned for 11am on Friday, July 5, 2024, at Bay Head Chapel, 442 Main Avenue, Bay Head, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Independence Seaport Museum, 211 S. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, PA  19106.

Arrangements are by the Suess-Gahman Funeral Home & Crematory, Perkasie, PA.