Charles John Vedral

Rev. Charles J. Vedral

November 20, 1943–November 21, 2023

The Rev. Charles J. Vedral, a much beloved and respected Christian pastor, non-profit founder, husband, father, and grandfather, died in hospice care at home in Queens, NY. He was 80 years old.

Pastor Chuck, as he was more commonly known, was born on November 20, 1943 in Manhattan, the third son of William John Vedral and Eileen Edith (Carter). He grew up in the tenements of Yorkville and the Lower East Side and began smoking and drinking before he was an adolescent. Despite being raised Catholic, Chuck and his brothers began attending English-language services at the former Russian, Ukrainian, Polish Pentecostal Church for social opportunities. It was there that he had a dramatic conversion experience, which changed the course of his life and work. Sensing a call to pastoral ministry, Chuck graduated from Elim Bible Institute in Lima, NY in 1966 and was ordained by the Assemblies of God. He pastored a small storefront church in Brooklyn before being called back to the Russian, Ukrainian, Polish Pentecostal Church. He later graduated from City College, CUNY with a B.A. in History in 1974 and was working on his Masters degree at New York University and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Chuck met the love of his life, Carol Buttafuoco of Queens, NY, in September 1976. They wed on March 11, 1977. Chuck and Carol ministered together faithfully and powerfully, serving the most marginalized people in the Alphabet City neighborhood of Manhattan. Their church was one of the few that welcomed people afflicted with AIDS and HIV in the early 1980s. In the mid-1980s, Pastor Chuck joined the pastoral staff at Queens Tabernacle, in Woodhaven NY where he served until 1995.

In their living room, along with a group of other pastors, Chuck and Carol began the Father’s Heart Ministries, a 501(c)(3) organization, to demonstrate God’s unconditional love, acceptance, forgiveness, and commitment to the people of New York and beyond. The Father’s Heart Ministries, based in the former Russian, Ukrainian, and Polish Pentecostal Church, serves over 1,000 New Yorkers each week through a variety of programs: Hunger Prevention, a soup kitchen and food pantry where guests can access food stamps; free legal advice from Open Hands Legal Services and social service referrals; KidZone, a program for children and their families; GED preparation, tutoring, and ESL classes; and our job-training/mentoring program for teens, Alphabet Scoop.

For his service to the city, Chuck was honored by the Dinkins and Bloomberg administrations.

 A talented musician, Chuck played the trumpet, violin, and accordion. He was a lifelong New York Yankees and New York Giants fan.

Chuck is survived by his wife, Carol; his six children, Robert, Marthe Rosselli (Chris), Jacqueline Martinez (Jesus), Juliet (Phillip Sheridan), Michael (Samantha), and Samantha; ten grandchildren; his sister Lorraine Matte and his three brothers, Michael, Gary, and James; and his many nieces and nephews. His family remember him for his wisdom, integrity, and his faithful devotion to Jesus Christ and his church.

A memorial service will be held in 2024 at the Father’s Heart Church, 543-545 East 11th Street, New York, NY 10009. In lieu of flowers, a foundation will be established in Chuck’s honor, to continue funding the charities that were close to his heart .