Charles "Chuck" D. Toby, a resident of Sylvan Lake, Michigan, died on July 16th, 2026 at the age of 89. Funeral services arranged by The Dorfman Chapel.
No religious services will be held.
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Chuck was the devoted father of Sheryl (Stuart Bandalene) Toby, Laurel (Mark) Felsenfeld, Andrea (Rob) Teitel, and Daryl (Ling) Toby. He was an adoring grandfather to Emily (Carmi), Alissa, Elana (Brent), Ari (Stevie), Miles, Levi, Aaron, and Ryan, and a proud great-grandfather to Maia, Kyla, and Shay.
He was the cherished brother to the late Bernard Toby and Melvin Toby and brother-in-law to Rebecca Toby, the late Rosann Toby, Pinky (Bill) Pearce, and Donna (Larry) Simons. Loving uncle and great-uncle to many nieces and nephews. Dearest son of the late Samuel and the late Ethel Toby.
As the first person in his family to attend college, he graduated from Michigan State University in1959 where he was known by his fencing teammates and his AEPi fraternity brothers as “the Bladeâ€. A 1964 graduate of Detroit College of Law, he was a clerk for several district court judges and went on to enjoy a distinguished career spanning nearly 60 years as a criminal defense attorney in Oakland County serving generations of clients that continued to ask for legal advice to this day. He was a top litigator appointed to capital murder cases including ones that made national news. He was respected for his integrity, keen intellect, courtroom acumen and unwavering dedication to justice. Chuck earned the admiration of colleagues, judges, and countless clients whose lives he touched through his advocacy and epitomized the attorney as counselor, giving people a second chance and the tools to turn their lives around. He would proudly share stories of his most challenging and colorful legal cases to anyone who would listen.
With his wife Marlene, they were strong advocates for civil rights and social justice. Together, they were the proud founders of the Shalom Campers, creating community and cherished memories through their shared love of camping with other Jewish families.
Outside the courtroom, with his wife Marlene they enjoyed golfing, lively card games with lifelong friends and ending many evenings with a drink at the Oakland County Boat Club within Sylvan Lake, a community where they lived for 57 years and loved dearly. Chuck bled Green and White and rarely missed an opportunity to cheer on his beloved Spartans. He was also an avid reader and history buff whose curiosity about the world and politics never waned. He was still gardening in his vegetable garden at 89 years old where he grew gargantuan zucchinis, tomatoes and more.
Above all, Chuck will be remembered for his steadfast devotion to Marlene and the beautiful life they built together. He was a loving husband, devoted father, proud grandfather and great-grandfather, loyal friend, generous mentor, and a man who loved sharing stories of representing his clients. His legacy lives on in the family he cherished, the friendships he nurtured, the community he helped build, the vegetables he shared with neighbors, and the many lives he influenced both personally and professionally.
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