Charles S. Lafferty

Charles Steven Lafferty, toyshop owner and retired Weirton Steel Corp. executive, died Oct. 9 after a brave fight during an extended illness. He was 64. “Charlie,” as he was known as a young boy, was born Sept. 14, 1938. The son of Ethel and Lawrence S. Lafferty grew up on North Fifth St. in Steubenville. His father served as the first president of the Weirton Independent Steelworkers Union, serving six terms until he died of a heart attack at age 45 while in Detroit on union business. After his father’s death, he attended Linsly Military Institute in Wheeling. Chuck completed his secondary education at Steubenville Catholic Central, where he played baseball and football. He enjoyed telling stories about competing against legends Bill Mazeroski and John Havlicek on opposing area teams. He graduated in 1956, and last year, he greatly enjoyed attending his 45th class reunion. He joined the U.S. Army in July 1956, was honorably discharged, and continued to serve in the Army Reserves until July 1962. After the service, Chuck entered the employ of Weirton Steel as a clerk in 1957. In time, he rose through the ranks to become Director of Personnel, then General Manager of Human Resources and finally Director of Internal Communications and Training. When National Steel pulled out of Weirton in 1982, Chuck enjoyed one of the great achievements of his career when he spearheaded the communications effort about the benefits of the Employee Stock Ownership Program to company employees. Chuck retired from Weirton Steel in 1994 and turned his creative energies to matters closer to his heart. His love of children and toys spurred him to open The Steadfast Tin Soldier toy store in Weirton that same year. The toy store represented a trip back in time to his own childhood, when imagination played an integral role in games and toys. He once told a newspaper reporter, “When I was first talking about opening the store, I had people ask me whether I thought something like this would really work in Weirton. Even if I have to close the doors, I end up with all the toys. I can’t lose.” Kids of all ages were always encouraged to play with the toys in his “hands-on” store. Free candy and small toys were always available at the counter and crafts made by his wife, Connie, were available in the rear of the store. Not surprisingly, his favorite time of year was Christmas. Each year he grew his own beard and dressed as Santa Claus, recreating the role not only at his toy store, but also for church celebrations, hospital visits, parties and even on neighbors’ Christmas cards. His wife, Connie, would sometimes join him, dressing as Mrs. Claus. Known to never ask for practical gifts for himself, his favorite gift to receive was a box of metal toy soldiers. In a pinch, when asked what he wanted for his birthday or Christmas, he would characteristically respond, “Toys.” He was an avid reader, and an expert in U.S. history, particularly the Civil War and World War II. He loved to talk about current events and was a life-long fan of the Pirates, Steelers and Notre Dame football. His Irishness was apparent to all who knew and loved him. Surviving are his wife of 11 years, Constance M. (Sawicki) Lafferty; four children, Maureen A. Lafferty (Deb), of South Bend, Ind., Lynne M. Baird (Robert) of Steubenville, Ohio, Larry S. Lafferty (Tracy), of Athens, Ohio, and Brennan M. Lafferty (Carrie), of Kent, Ohio. He also leaves six grandchildren (Ellen, Emily, Ian and Daniel Baird, and Grace and Andrew Lafferty), who came to know him simply as “Pop.” He was also preceded in death by a granddaughter, Elizabeth Hope Baird. To his last day, he remained a student of life and a teacher of the highest order to his friends and family. Friends will be welcomed at Greco-Hertnick Funeral Home in Weirton. Calling hours are Saturday from 7-9 p.m. and Sunday 1-3 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Rev. Thomas Schiffer will celebrate the funeral mass on Monday at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in Weirton. Memorial contributions can be made through Greco-Hertnick to Toys for Tots as a lasting tribute to Chuck’s love of toys. Share tributes with his family at www.grecohertnick.com Funeral Home: Greco Hertnick Funeral Home 3219 Main Street Weirton, WV US 26062