Varis "Chuck" Karlis Babris

Varis Karlis Babris “Chuck”, 82, died peacefully on January 1, 2024.

Born in Riga, Latvia on June 11, 1941, to the late Karlis and Gaida Babris. His mother fled Latvia after his father was killed in action in WW II. Gaida took her two small children across Europe, to Germany where they lived in multiple displaced persons camps for the next six years. Chuck was born tough, walking miles with other refugees beginning at just four years old. He learned how to be strong and stick with his family. The Babris family found solace in America in 1950 and lived in Manhattan before settling to Paramus, which quickly became Chuck’s new hometown.

He went on to graduate from Paramus High School as their first graduating class of 1960. Chuck worked as a mechanic before being appointed special patrolman officer for Paramus in 1963 (Badge#256), which began his over thirty-year career in law enforcement.

Drafted in 1964, Chuck proudly served his country in the United States Army, and was honorably discharged in 1966, looking forward to continuing to serve his country as a civil servant. He used the G.I. bill to attend Rutgers University, where he received his bachelor’s degree in accounting. Chuck began his career with the New Jersey State Police

(Badge#2730), in 1972, retiring in 1997 as a Lieutenant Detective. Chuck’s passion for the police forces was renowned, and he became a national figure in the support and efforts for the men and women in blue. He was known as a strong leader, and he had the ability to alternately anger and then endear himself to the same folks. He pulled no punches and was fiercely loyal to the State Police’s representative organizations, serving in the STFA, The National Troopers Coalition, The Superior Officer’s Association, and as President of the NJSP NCO’s Union. We will never see another like him, and we feel for those who never experienced his booming voice calling, “Comrade, I need to talk to you”. He would do anything for his family, friends and colleagues and could always be counted on in a time of need.

To top off putting his life on the line for his fellow man, Chuck was also a volunteer firefighter for the Paramus FD for over a decade. Newspaper clippings show his courageous spirit in the line of duty. From being assaulted, shot at, running into burning buildings, stopping high speed chases, or investigating some of the most dangerous criminals, Chuck did it all as if it was just another day for him.

Following his retirement from the NJSP, he served the State of New Jersey in the Department of Labor as Confidential Assistant to the Commissioner of Labor.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Candice Cronin, as well as his dear brother in law, Michael Coneys.

Surviving are his daughters Tamara Schmidt (partner Nancy Schiliro), and Alexis Wistermayer (husband Mikhail), his dear sister, Mara Coneys, nieces and nephews Debbie, Laura, John “JR”, Liam, Sean, Michelle, Michael, Aidan, Zigurts, Valda, Gunars and Marija as well as his extended family, fellow troopers and fire fighters.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 8:00PM on Friday, January 12, 2024, at Cusick Funeral Home, 80 Mountain Avenue, Somerville, NJ 08876.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00AM on Saturday, January 13, 2023, at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 158 W. High St, Somerville, NJ 08876. Family and friends are welcome to gather at the funeral home beginning at 9:00AM.

State Trooper, Fireman’s, and Military Honors will be rendered following the church service in front of the Old Somerset County Court House on East Main Street at approximately 11:00AM.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Survivors of the Triangle Click Here to Donate Online