Charles (Charlie) Francis Mapes Jr., 91, of Princeton and Stone Harbor, NJ passed away on April 30, 2024. Born on November 26, 1932 in Brooklyn, NY, the only child of Charles Francis and Catherine McMullen Mapes. Charlie spent the majority of his life living in the Princeton area. After attending Miss Fine’s School (now Princeton Day School), Charlie graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy (1951) and Princeton University (1955). In 1956 Charlie married Doris (Dodie) Kleiber. In 1972, he co-founded Mapes & Ross, an advertising research company.
As integral members of the Princeton University Class of 1955, Charlie & Dodie never missed a reunion. Charlie served as a Board member for Princeton AlumniCorps (Princeton Project 55) and Co-Chair (along with Dodie) of the Building and Grounds Committee. He was a die-hard Princeton fan, attending numerous Princeton Football and Basketball Games over the years. They made lifelong friendships with so many class members living in Princeton, in other states and outside the country. These friendships first forged on the campus of Princeton endured for decades, many of whom have also passed and are back together with Charlie and Dodie – yelling “HIP HIP OLE!”.
A 50+ year member of the Bedens Brook Club, Charlie was a beloved member of the community. Charlie and Dodie took many domestic and international trips on their own as well as with the class of 1955. In his retirement, he volunteered for Meals on Wheels, for AARP preparing taxes for seniors, as well as tutoring Trenton children in math.
Charlie was predeceased by his wife of 68 years, Dodie who left this earth on February 23rd. He is survived by his children, Charles F. Mapes III and his wife Maureen, Linda Mapes, and Elizabeth “Libby” Yarnall and her husband Stephen; 9 grandchildren, Jeremy, Nicholas (Ashley), Ryan (Alan), Charles IV (Sara), Sidney, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Douglas (Patti) and Donald (Christy); 10 great-grandchildren, Austin, Adalynn, Nicholas, George, Jordan, Dylan, Alli, Sarah, Kayleigh and Raelynne; his niece Karen Aveyard and nephew Eric Kleiber.
A private luncheon to celebrate the lives of both Charlie and Dodie will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Meals on Wheels.
