Dennis Michael Charney, Jr., 60, of Bellefonte, passed away at his home on Thursday, April 24, 2025, in the loving arms of his wife.

Born on June 6, 1964, in Norristown, Pennsylvania, and raised in Lincoln Park, New Jersey, he was the son of Cinda and the late Dennis Charney, Sr. He married his beloved wife Rachel (Davis) Charney on December 3, 1988, who survives at home after 36 years of devoted marriage together.

Dennis was the consummate outdoorsman, equally at home with a fly rod in his hand trying to entice a trout to bite on a hand-tied fly on a tranquil stretch of stream as he was leading a fly fishing enthusiast to a stretch of water on one of his guided fishing trips.

He shared his passion for and expert knowledge of fly fishing with hundreds of fellow fishermen through his personal excursions. The Wulff School of Fly Fishing in Livingston Manor, New York, benefited from his expertise. For more than two decades, Dennis taught hundreds of students, from novices to pros, how to improve their technique and knowledge of fly fishing at the Wulff School, which was nestled in the Upper Beaverkill Valley of the Catskills.

Dennis shared his love of the sport with residents of Central Pennsylvania through the preeminent fly fishing shop of the region, Flyfisher’s Paradise. He loved regaling customers and friends alike with tales of his fishing exploits, sharing what hatches were active on local streams or recommending the appropriate hackle, saddle, or cape to mimic the insects that were emerging from the hatches for those who tied their own flies.

Early in his life, Dennis developed two other disparate but unique passions.

He was an enthusiastic audiophile who studied audio engineering. Dennis worked closely with music legends like Les Paul. He reveled in the rich rock ‘n roll tunes of the 1970s, passing along a love for music to his children. He often paired that love of music with his affinity for cooking for his family. He would often be heard humming along to a favorite tune while he lovingly prepared a special dish.

He was also skilled at Pysanky, egg decorating using the centuries-old traditional Ukrainian wax-resist art form in which beeswax and dyes are used to create intricate designs on the eggshell.

In addition to Rachel, he is survived by his daughter, Hayley of Phoenixville, his son, Ian of State College, his mother, Cinda Charney of Stafford, Virginia, and his brother, Sean Charney and his wife, Karen Charney of Stafford, Virginia.

Family and friends will be received on Thursday, May 1, 2025, from 2:00 – 3:00 PM, at Wetzler Funeral Service, Inc., 206 N. Spring Street, Bellefonte. A Celebration of Life service will immediately follow, beginning at 3:00 PM, where family and friends will be invited to share memories and stories of Dennis’ humor, humility, and infectious laughter. Burial services will be held privately at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are under the direction of Wetzler Funeral Service, Inc. in Bellefonte.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.wetzlerfuneralhome.com.