Charles David Tenney

Charles David Tenney

February 3, 1935 - February 9, 2023

On February 9, 2023, Charles David Tenney passed away. Beloved husband of Dorothy Tenney; devoted father of David Tenney and his wife Shelia, Carol Stevens and her husband Jeff, Brian Tenney and his wife Margaret, and Adrian Tenney and his wife Amy; cherished grandfather of Eric Tenney and his wife Andrea, Lauren Tenney and her fiancé Emidio Puliti, Zachary Stevens, Toby Stevens, MacKenzie Stevens, Steven Tenney, Rachel Storm and her husband Tyler, Monica Tenney, and Timothy Tenney and his wife Jessica; loving great-grandfather of Jacob Tenney, Olivia Tenney, and Addy Storm; loving son of the late Blaine and Mildred Tenney; dear brother of Margaret Smith, the late James Tenney, Lowell Tenney, the late Mary Ann Liston, and Robert Tenney; loving nephew of Vida Wright. Also survived by many other loving family members and friends.

Charles was born in Barbour County, WV, the oldest of six children.  His family moved to Baltimore in the early 1940's, where he graduated from Kenwood High School.  In 1956, he married Dorothy and over the years, welcomed four children.
After high school, Charles completed the apprenticeship program at Bethlehem Steel at Sparrows Point and advanced to be a Class A machinist in the machine shop.  During his youth, he also learned to work on cars, a skill that he continued using, working until late 2022.  He also had a knack for fixing anything and would do so for anyone.
As a young man, Charles (or Charlie as he was sometimes called) began racing cars at the Westport Speedway and Dorsey Speedway on the old clay oval tracks.  He even participated in a demolition derby at one point.  He then switched to drag racing, driving cars for a number of years for Don's Motors.
The drag racing evolved to a beloved hobby, eventually being able to race with his sons and grandson.  He enjoyed traveling to different places with his children.  He loved being around family.

Friends may call at the family owned Bruzdzinski Funeral Home P. A. at 1407 Old Eastern Avenue, Essex at route 702 (beltway exit 36) on Monday, February 13, 2023 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.  Funeral services on Monday, February 13, 2023 at 7:00 PM. Private cremation to follow. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: The American Cancer Society or a local animal rescue of your choice.