Charles Durkee “Durk” Snowden III lived his final years in Northvale, New Jersey. Always the unofficial mayor of wherever he lived, Durk found friends and created smiles wherever he went.
Durk was born in Delaware to Chip and Patricia Snowden on June 26, 1967, and was raised in Mobile, Alabama. He later lived in Key West and New York City, where he worked as a chef. The next chapter of his life brought him to the retail world, where he met his wife, Sarah, whom he supported as she pursued her lifelong dream of becoming a physician. They married in Jamaica in 2012 and made their home together in New York City.
They welcomed their son, Charles Durkee Snowden IV, “Charlie,” who became the center of their world. In 2019, they moved to Northvale, New Jersey, where Durk continued to amass a cadre of new friends while nurturing the friendships he had collected throughout every previous chapter of his life.
Durk loved his time in nature, whether on the hiking trails near home, on his annual 12-hour walks, or during his cherished trips to Maine. At home, he could most often be found cooking amazing meals for Sarah and Charlie or being the world’s best host, always remembering his guests’ favorite dishes. He loved planning meals for big occasions, especially Christmas Eve dinner with his sister-in-law, Rachel.
Durk was also a voracious reader, finishing several books each week. When giving someone a book recommendation, it was not unusual for him to quietly pull out his phone and order a copy for that person before the conversation was even over.
Looking out for others was where Durk truly shone. Even when he was unwell himself, his instinct was to find ways to help someone else. He raised money for others, including through his annual St. Jude walk. But his generosity went far beyond monetary gifts. He was known to make food, pick up groceries, or simply show up when he knew someone was sick or in need—even when he himself was not at his best.
Durk leaves behind countless friends and neighbors from Alabama, New York, New Jersey, Key West, South Africa, and Italy, to name only a few. His best friend and woman of honor, Jessica Ponchak, is just one example of how age, gender, and physical distance never hindered his ability to nurture a true friendship.
Durk’s family and found family are too numerous to name. He is survived by his wife, Sarah, who spent more than half of her life loving and growing alongside him, and who credits Durk with shaping so much of the person she became and teaching her the true meaning of empathy and kindness; and his son, Charlie, who carries forward his father’s wit, gregariousness, and compassion.
He is also survived by his siblings, including his brother Bill, who describes Durk as his idol; his sister-in-law Monica and niece Maya; and his nephew Liam, who was always his best audience. His in-laws never considered Durk anything less than a son, brother, uncle, or cousin. They include Larry, Carol, Rachel, Tom, Emma, Luke, Jodi, Ken, and Sadie.
More than anything, Durk will be remembered for the way he made people feel: welcomed, cared for, fed, entertained, and loved. He built community wherever he went, and the friendships and family he created along the way are his legacy.
Visitation will be held at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale, New Jersey, on Friday, September 25, 2026, from 4:00–7:00 p.m.
A brief Shiva will be held at the family home, 202 Washington Street, Northvale, New Jersey, on Sunday, September 27, 2026, from 2:00–6:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Durk may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital
https://fundraising.stjude.org/site/TR?px=9413794&fr_id=154020&pg=personal