Charles Entenmann, Patriarch of Iconic Bakery, Dies At 92

BAY SHORE, NY —Charles Edward Entenmann, who catapulted his family's namesake bakery into a national brand and was a prominent philanthropist in Bay Shore, has died. He was 92.

According to his obituary in Newsday, Entenmann — who went by Charlie — died of complications on Feb. 24 in Hialeah, Florida.

He was buried last week in Oakwood Cemetery in East Quogue, gathered by friends and family.

In a statement to Patch, Bimbo Bakeries, the owners of Entenmann's, stated:

"Bimbo Bakeries USA sends its condolences to the Entenmann family on the passing of Charles Entenmann. Charles was instrumental in turning the Entenmann’s brand into a household name and we will continue to build on the mission and legacy his family established more than 120 years ago."

Entenmann was born in 1929 at South Shore University Hospital in Bay Shore, Newsday said. According to the company website, his father, William Entenmann, brought the family baker from Brooklyn to Bay Shore and raised his family there.

Their brothers propelled Entenmann's into a household name by shifting from home delivery to wholesaling at supermarkets, their website said.

The family sold their business to Warner-Lambert Co. for $233 million in 1978, Newsday reported. The brand is currently owned by Bimbo Bakeries USA, which ceased production in Bay Shore in 2014.

His brother Robert Entenmann, who founded Martha Clara Vineyards, died in 2016.

Charles Entenmann moved to Florida in the mid-'80s. However, he continued to be prominent philanthropist in the Bay Shore community.

Donna Moravick, executive director at South Shore University Hospital, spoke to Patch about the "symbiotic" relationship between the hospital and the Entenmann family.

Jamie Entenmann Padden, Charles' Entenmann's niece, told her about Charles' love for the community.

"They're the ones who made Entenmann's Bakery successful," Padden said in November about the hospital.

When William Entenmann III died in 2011, the family made a $10 million gift to assist the development of programs and services at South Shore University Hospital (SSUH). Their donation established the Entenmann Family Cardiac Center, ensuring that cutting-edge cardiac diagnostics, treatment and open heart surgery are available to Suffolk County residents.

Moravick told Patch that this contribution was the "catalyst" for the hospital to transform from being a community hospital into a tertiary facility.

"The immense investment has helped upgrade our ability to deliver the higher end care in Suffolk County," she said. "We have helicopter pad, we bring patients from our community hospitals, we have 1,500 transfers, life saving transfers into South University Hospital."

In November 2021, South Shore University Hospital named its campus Entenmann Family Campus in recognition of their record-breaking donation.

The family's undisclosed gift, which was the highest monetary donation the hospital has ever received, support the hospital's ongoing $500 million construction of a 45,560-square-foot Women & Infants Center.

"I can tell you the DNA in that family is the nature of kindness," Moravick said. "The Entenmann family and their generosity will continue to help transition health care in Suffolk County."

Charles Entenmann is survived by his son, Charles William Entenmann; his daughter, Susan Nalewajk, of New Hampshire; seven grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren. His wife, Nancy, and daughter Barbara Thompson preceded him in death.