A much-loved shopkeeper who “lived life to the full” and was highly respected in the community has died.
Chandraka Pandya was known affectionately as Charlie to his thousands of customers.
Charlie Pandya, a popular and well-respected newsagent, has died
For 20 years, Charlie and his wife Mina ran Skipper’s, a newsagents and gift shop at the Star Hill end of Rochester High Street.
He then “retired” to set up a business for his son at a convenience store in Rainham – but 12 years later was still working behind the counter.
In total, Charlie and Mina served the public in the retail trade for more than 30 years.
When he finally gave up work, the father of three sons went travelling to Canada and the United States with Mina.
He was known for his infectious humour and love of dance and music.
Charlie on his 80th birthday with (from left) Rikin, Nitin, wife Mina and Mitul
Fittingly, at his memorial service attended by more than 350 people, there was a group performing his favourite Bollywood songs along with Elvis, Beatles and Bob Marley hits.
The couple had made lifelong friends in Rochester, so it was only right that mourners came together for lunch a the George Vaults pub in the High Street to celebrate his life.
Born in Nairobi, Kenya in 1944, Charlie was the sixth of eight siblings in a close-knit family.
He moved to the UK in 1962, convincing his father to let him go with two conditions – he would never drink alcohol and would marry an Indian girl.
True to his word, he upheld both promises, marrying Minaxi Patel in 1973, with whom he raised their three sons, Rikin, Mitul and Nitin.
Charlie and Mina Pandya when they retired. Picture: Steve Crispe
The couple, who lived in Rochester, bought Skipper’s in 1982, and it soon became a popular hub where people would come in for a chat as well as to pick up their papers.
He won a string of Newsagent of the Year awards and remained an active member of the National Federation of Newsagents.
But he only really attended the ceremonies so he could dance the night away.
His son Mitul paid tribute, saying: ”He turned that shop into the social hub of Rochester High Street, where people would go past shops closer just to come to see him and chat, and as my dad started to reduce his hours, it continued through his children.
“Dad was a pillar of the High Street and when he decided to sell the shop in 2008, the amount of people that came to see him and tell him how much they loved him was really special to witness.”
Charlie Pandya at the Dickens Festival
Charlie was a familiar figure in Rochester and, during the annual Dickens festivals, donned Victorian costume to mingle with the crowds.
His nephew Kamal Thaker said at his funeral at Medway Crematorium on Thursday, November 13, there were “deeply moving” tributes at times peppered with humour from his sons.
He said: “These eulogies were a celebration of his life and a befitting celebration for living a life to the full.”
After selling the shop in Denbigh Avenue, Rainham, the couple spent time in India visiting family and friends.
He continued to play an active part in helping others, particularly supporting senior citizens and Hindu groups.
Charlie Pandya at Rik’s One Stop Shop, on the A2 in Rainham
Kamal said: “He was more than just a relative. We shall miss him dreadfully.”
Charlie died peacefully in hospital on Thursday, November 6 after a long illness.
