John Charles (known by Chuck or Charles) Bailey
John Charles Bailey, known as Chuck or Charles, passed away on January 4th, 2024 at age 71. He grew up in suburban Virginia and then lived in Washington DC, New York City, Paris, Lausanne, and then returned to Alexandria, Virginia and Washington. He began his career with the federal government and later worked for large corporations in both New York and Paris. Chuck earned his undergraduate degree and pursued graduate studies while working in DC.
Chuck brought a joy to living with a flair for hosting in his cozy homes and entertaining all family and friends from near and far. He always knew some of the best off-the-beaten spots to go for entertainment or good food. Chuck kept up with an extraordinary number of people over his life, from childhood friends to friends scattered all over the world. He was a great raconteur with a photographic memory for places and people. Any topic was a conversational starting point that could lead to lively discourses on history, culture, books, politics, theology, old films and TV shows, or his love of opera and classical music, along with an eclectic array of jazz and contemporary artists.
As a child, Chuck often attended the First Church of Christ, Scientist in Adams Morgan (now The Line Hotel DC) with his maternal grandmother, a leader in the church. It was a cultural influence on him, but as young adult he became an active Episcopalian at Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill, closely tied to the Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Virginia. Friendships he established at the churches and seminary continued throughout his life.
Chuck did not wish to have a traditional memorial service. Instead, he endorsed a more festive gathering of people who knew him. With logistics of collecting people from a distance to the DC area, this event is taking place in June 2025, his birthday month.
With love we dedicate this page to Chuck. He received excellent end-of-life care at the Johns Hopkins’ Sibley Memorial Hospital, In-patient Hospice Center—part of Capital Caring Health. The staff were very kind and nurturing, helping to make his last days more comfortable, and even enjoyable at times, in its serene setting. On good days, he welcomed friends and family in-person and by phone. There were even a few toasts with aged scotch, especially his favorite Lagavulin. Contributions to the hospice, in memory of Chuck, would be a most fitting tribute and honor.
Chuck lives on in the hearts of his family and his wide circle of close friends spanning the globe.