He was the crown prince of sports during his heyday at Warren High School and beyond.

The late Charles “Charlie” Burdge certainly put his stamp on his beloved town of Warren. Ask anyone who grew up around these parts who remembers this gentle giant and they will tell you there was nobody like him.

One of his most ardent supporters and former players was Warren’s own Jack Flynn, whose love of sports was as genuine as the man being spotlighting here today.

Meeting in the cozy confines of Rod’s Grille recently, Mr. Flynn spelled out in explicit detail the legend that was Charlie Burdge.

“I knew Charlie pretty well,” said Flynn, whose book, “A Diary of 101 years of Warren Athletics”, told the complete story of some of Warren’s greatest athletic triumphs. “Charlie was born in Bristol, but spent the rest of his life here in Warren. He graduated from Warren High School in 1929.”

Married to the former Lucille (Barry) Burdge, and the father of three children, Charlie resided on Wheaton Street for many years and became one of this town’s most recognizable and well-respected figures.

According to Mr. Flynn, Charlie was a member of Warren’s first championship team in 1929, when the Redskins won the Class B basketball title. He was named All-State as a guard, and later enrolled at Providence College where he became an instant success in football and baseball.

“In baseball,” said Flynn, “Charlie was pitcher for Providence College’s Eastern Collegiate Champions in 1932 and never lost a game during his career from 1932 to 1934. And, as a football tackle for the Friars, he was subsequently named to the school’s Mal Brown All-Time All Stars.”

As Flynn pointed out, Charlie Burdge flexed his muscles on the mound hurling for the home town team in the famous Warren versus Bristol Baseball “Little World Series” from 1929 to 1935. And, during the 1930s in football, he starred as an offensive and defensive tackle for the Providence Steam Rollers, the Warren Townies, and the Warren Wanderers.

Charlie Burdge continued his succession up the coaching ladder when he first was appointed the freshman football coach at Warren and a year later began his tenure as Warren High School’s head baseball and football coach, and athletic director.

For the record, Coach Burdge was in total command during those years, winning two Class C football championships and leading his baseball teams to five Class championships, including state titles in 1939 and 1946.

“His 1939 championship squad was the first Class C team to win a Rhode Island title in any sport,” Mr. Flynn reported. “He also served as Warren Little League baseball’s first player agent starting in 1952.”

Charlie coached football until 1960, while his baseball coaching and athletic director days ended with his retirement in 1969.

A charter member of the Rhode Island Football Coaches Hall of Fame, Charlie was subsequently honored by the Umpires Association (Eddie Jansen Award) and the Providence Gridiron Club.

Charles Burdge Jr. commented on his dad and what he meant to the entire family and close friends.

“Much of what comes to mind when thinking of my dad is his powerful love for family; and his dignity and courage,” he said. “My Dad suffered many heartbreaking tragedies during his life, but he always served as a source of love and strength for all the family. While leaving the cemetery after my mom died, someone said to him, ‘Charlie, I don't know how you will go on.’ My Dad said, ‘I have three reasons waiting for me at home.’ My sister was the light of his life. She died in her sleep at the age of 21. That took much life out of my father, but he carried on.”

A member of the Warren Athletic Hall of Fame’s inaugural induction class in 1998, Charlie Burdge’s name is right up there with other Warren coaching legends like Duke and Pat Abbruzzi, and several more during that era.

But, Jack Flynn said it best in conclusion, “You always knew where you stood with Charlie Burdge. He always demanded excellence and never had to raise his voice.”

There are many great coaches who have passed in review here in beautiful Warren, but Charlie Burdge, to put it mildly, was at or near the top of that hallowed group in every category imaginable. He was a gentleman’s gentleman. There was nobody quite like him.