Remembering Charles Trask: 1946 - 2022

Major Charles Alfred Trask was born on Aug. 27, 1946, in Dunkirk, N.Y., to Captains John and Ana Trask, both of whom were officers of The Salvation Army. Charles grew up in The Salvation Army regiment in the Eastern Territory, and he was the third child born out of five children.

Charles attended music camps at Star Lake, Wonderland, Sebago, and Nathan Hale as a child and teenager. He worked at Star Lake for two summers in 1963 and 1964. He loved helping his dad serve in Salvation Army canteens, helping firemen and police officers in many cities, and he first learned to drive in a canteen.

As a child of Salvation Army officers, Charles grew up in New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont and New Jersey. Charles attended all the corps programs and found the Lord as a junior soldier in 1953. Charles played in the band at the corps and attended corps cadets. He also enjoyed attending Youth Councils as a teenager.

Charles graduated from high school at Union Hill High School in Union City, N.J., and he loved playing in the high school band. Charles went on to college and graduated from University of Maryland with a degree in Business Administration. He went on to serve his country in the United States Navy, including intelligence service in Vietnam. Following that, he joined the Central Intelligence Agency, traveling the world until he felt the call to service as a Salvation Army officer.

Charles entered The Salvation Army’s College for Officer Training from Arlington, Va. in 1974. He was Commissioned in June 1976 and served as a single officer in Suffolk, Va. He was then married on Sept. 7,1976 to Toni Trask, and she joined him in Suffolk. Charles served in three Virginia, Florida and Texas as a corps officer. Charles and his wife also served as pioneer missionaries in the Philippines. While they served as missionaries, they were able to open a corps in Olongapo, Philippines.

Charles also loved playing in the divisional bands of The Salvation Army. While in Texas, he enjoyed serving and playing on the yearly trips to Mexico each year. Charles was a member of the Rotary and Kiwanis clubs. He loved winning people to the Lord and praying with them.

Charles’ favorite scripture was Psalm 18:30.

As for God his way was perfect. The Lord’s word is lawless. He shields all who take refuge in him.

He was a devoted and loving husband, father, and grandfather, and Charles will be remembered for his great sense of humor. He was very kind to everyone. He was also an avid reader.

Charles is preceded in death by Brigadier John Trask and Captain Ana Trask, stepmother Brigadier Josephine Wilfinger Trask, brothers, John Trask, Major Frederick Trask, David Trask and sister Judith Trask.

He is survived by his wife Toni, son Charles Paul Trask, daughter in love Edisa Torres, and one grandson, Eric Alberto Torres Trask. In addition, he is survived by numerous cousins, nephews and nieces. Charles battled cancer for many years.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at The Salvation Army at 2901 NE 14^th Street in Ocala, Florida. The service will be on Friday, Feb. 2022, with visitation from 8:30 am to 9:30 am and the service to follow at 9:30 am. Masks will be required, and a committal service will occur at National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida.

Republished courtesy of the Salvation Army