Charles J. Molnar

November 22, 1934 - March 28, 2025In the late summer of 1975, Chuck Molnar, was looking for the perfect spot to start a new chapter as a single Dad for his young children, Chris, Erika and Johanna. He had planned to move the family to San Francisco but a casual visit to Santa Cruz changed everything. As he told the story: The beauty of the area was compelling but it was a visit to the main post office where he observed young college students and older retirees interacting and their welcoming spirit that gave him the feeling that this would be home. By September, the move was complete and they began their new life on the Monterey Bay.It wasn’t long before life settled in and Chuck bought a little house with a swimming pool because he rationalized that all of the children’s friends would come to their house and he could keep an eye on all three of his own. He was a single Dad in the 1970s , a rare phenomenon even in Santa Cruz. He wanted a successful life for his children and encouraged them to pursue higher education. When Erika and Johanna told their Dad they wanted to be Flight Attendants he suggested that instead they fly the plane. Chris became an Attorney, Erika earned a Masters Degree in Education and Johanna has a PHD in Psychology.In May of 1987, he married Diane Rodgers, from Richmond, Virginia. Together they created a home for their family not only to embrace all of life’s joys including Holidays, birthdays, weddings and celebrations but to build a safe haven where their children, grandchildren and extended family could always know they are welcome and depend on a respite from life’s challenges.Chuck was proud of his career in Advertising that began with J. Walter Thompson, the largest advertising agency in the world where he worked on the Ford Motor account. Later he was the National Advertising Manager for Toyota Motor Car Company. In Santa Cruz, he founded the Chuck Molnar Advertising Agency where his award winning jingles and innovative marketing plans won him accounts on the Central Coast as well as San Jose, Boston , New Orleans , St Louis, Richmond,Virginia, Florida and Texas. Chuck enjoyed his advertising business until his retirement.Traveling was always an adventure and there were many trips to far away places including his ancestral home in Hungary, Europe, China, the Caribbean, Costa Rica, Hawaii and Mexico. At home he loved to sail his Santana 22, Blue Moon, walk in the Redwoods, attend jazz concerts and enjoy a nice glass of red wine.Chuck’s true character was best defined by the lessons he learned at the University of Detroit Jesuit Highschool. The school’s mantra was “A man for others”. He carried those values throughout his life and taught his children the importance of being “other centered”. His service to the community was tireless and there were too many organizations to list, however he volunteered for the Santa Cruz Aids project, The Area Agency on Aging, The Domestic Violence Commission, The Saint Vincent DePaul Society and served as a Docent at Henry Cowell State Park. It was his great honor to serve as a Senior Senator for the California Senior Legislaturewhere he produced multiple bills supporting the needs of aging Californians that have become State laws.He served in the United States Army and was a graduate of Wayne State University in Detroit , Michigan.He died peacefully at home with Johanna and Diane at his bedside. His last words as he passed from this life were “I love you.”Family was everything to him. He is survived by his wife, Diane of 38 years, Daughter Erika her husband Jaime and their three children, Aidan, Joaquin and Kael, Daughter Johanna granddaughter Gia, Daughter-in-law Neelam and grandchildren Lallita, Valentina and Christian as well as many Molnar and Convissor nieces and nephews.Chuck was preceded in death by his son Christian who passed away on February 14, 2025, his grandson, Diego, sister Margaret Convissor and brother William Molnar.Our family is deeply grateful to Hospice of Santa Cruz County and especially Chuck’s nurse and Case Manager, Tim Padgett and nurse Rebecca Young whose compassion and care eased a most difficult time for us.A memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, April 26 at 2pm at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church located at 515 Frederick Street, Santa Cruz.In lieu of flowers we request a donation to The Saint Vincent DePaul Society at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, The Friends of Henry Cowell State Park or a charity of your choice.