Obituary of Charlie Liu

Charles Y.J. (Charlie) Liu was born to Muh Yih and Fong Lea Liu on December 28, 1965 in Taipei, Taiwan. With his family he emigrated to Libya, where his father, a medical doctor, worked as an internist for the Libyan government.

In 1970, his family moved to New York City, and settled on Staten Island.

Charlie attended Blessed Sacrament School on Staten Island, and Stuyvesant High School in Manhattan. He attended SUNY Binghamton, and graduated from SUNY Albany, where he has very fond memories of playing rugby.  He graduated from SUNY Buffalo Law School, and worked for Buffalo Neighborhood Legal Services while a law student.

He worked for several tenant advocacy/housing organizations before becoming a Court Attorney.  He became a Judge of the NYC Civil Court, Housing Part, in February 2017.  He was assigned to the Bronx.

He is survived by his wife, Caroline Kretz, and his mother Fong Lea.  His father predeceased him.  He is also survived by his sisters Aries Liu Helm (Tom) and Betty Liu Swayze (Dan) and his nieces and nephews Matthew Helm (Leesha), Meghan Klawonn (Matthew), Melissa Helm, Samantha and Benjamin Swayze, and his grand-nephew, Luke Helm.

On the Kretz side, he is survived by his mother-in-law, Doris Mae Kretz, his brothers-in-law William Kretz (Leslie) and Robert Kretz and sister-in-law Nancy Siry (Dennis) and nieces and nephews Billy Kretz (Ally), Courtney Weglinski (Dan), Carly and Brian Kretz, Bobby and Cassie Kretz, and Bonnie, Kelly, and Dennis Siry.

He was much loved by innumerable extended family members and dear friends.

He lived life fully, and made us laugh.