Edward (Hockicko) Hawkins, A.K.A. Father Charles Hawkins, O.S.B. was born on May 19, 1947 to  Andrew and Sue Basanda Hockicko Murdzak in Youngstown, OH. He is a graduate of St. Matthias School, a 1965 graduate of Cardinal Mooney High School, attended Youngstown State University, later transferred to Ohio State University where he received a degree in political science and international business in 1969. He worked for the Xerox Corporation.

In 1973, he entered the Order of St. Benedict, (O.S.B) at St. Andrew's Abbey in Cleveland, OH where, according to a long tradition of men and women entering religious life, a new first name was given. The Abbot gave him the name, "Charles." He studied at the major seminary of St. Mary's in Cleveland while also doing summer studies at St. John's Benedictine University in Collegeville, MN and later at the Jesuit University of San Francisco. He was ordained a priest on June 10, 1978 by bishop James A Hickey, Bishop of Cleveland, OH. Father was appointed to the faculty of the all boys' Cleveland Benedictine High School where he taught theology. On weekends, he served parish liturgies of the Roman and Byzantine Rites in Parma, OH.

Because the abbey had only a chapel not large enough to accommodate all the monks, guests and students, it was necessary to raise enough money for an abbey church to be built on the campus. The Right Reverend Abbot Jerome Koval, O.S.B. appointed Father Charles to begin a capital drive and plan for a new building of worship which would be attached to the abbey and high school. Also, a new wing on the abbey was built for a dining refectory and an enlarged gathering place for meetings. The plan was successful and enough monetary gifts came in to build the new structures.

In 1984, Rome divided the Archdiocese of Miami and the Diocese of Orlando to form the new and growing Diocese of Palm Beach where Father Charles' parents and family vacationed. He requested a move to the new diocese in 1986 to care for his aging parents. He was welcomed to join the new presbyterate. After several years, he was appointed Chancellor and eventually Vicar General of Florida's six other dioceses voted to  have Father Charles to head the Conference of theses dioceses for two terms to advise the Archbishop of Miami, who conferred with Florida's other bishops on Church matters. He served as pastor at Ascension Catholic Church in Boca Raton, FL for several years until his retirement.

He leaves behind his brother James (Deborah) of Boardman, OH, his sister Mary Jean Hockicko, of Boynton Beach, FL, two nephews, Matthew (Alexis) their children, Aidan, Adelaide, and Annalise, of Farmington Hills, MI and Brian (Kathryn) their children, Fisher, Pennalyn, and Aurelia, of Columbus OH.

A funeral mass will be celebrated 11:00am, Friday, May 16, 2025 at Ascension Catholic Church with a viewing 1 hour prior. He will be laid to rest with a private committal service at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Cemetery in Royal Palm Beach following the mass.

Professional arrangements are entrusted to:
Gary Panoch Funeral Home
6140 N. Federal Highway
Boca Raton, FL 33487
561-997-8580
www.gpanochfunerals.com

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