Industry Mourns The NeSSA President, SIMI Founder Charlie Fritts

All of us at MSM were saddened to learn about the loss of our friend Charlie Fritts. Our hearts go out to all who knew him.

The following announcement comes from Courtney J. Kahler, Executive Director, NeSSA.

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It is with deep sorrow and a heavy heart that we share the news of the passing of NeSSA’s esteemed President, Charlie Fritts. He was a remarkable fixture in the northeast storage industry with his wealth of knowledge, decades of experience, and passion to help everyone do and be their very best.

Charlie has been a member, supporter, and volunteer of his local self storage associations for decades. Thanks to his dedication and guidance, NeSSA achieved new heights and strengthened our industry. Countless members – past, present, and future – have benefited from Charlie, whether they realize it or not. He even took to ending his President’s messages with “Yours for better storage,” showing his commitment to the industry and his community.

This loss is not just professional, but deeply personal for so many of us as Charlie was a kind and giving person who always offered his support. It is obvious from the way his fellow Board Members speak about him that Charlie leaves behind a legacy of excellence and integrity.

“I am heartbroken to hear of Charlie’s passing. Charlie was a friend and prominent figure of the Northeast Self Storage Association. He gave his time and energy selflessly and without hesitation to support the self storage industry in the Northeast. It was an honor to serve alongside Charlie for the past 14 years. We are all better professionals for working with Charlie and his kind, calm demeanor. He will be sorely missed as a resource and dear friend.”

-Jessica Lamoureux, NeSSA Secretary/Treasurer

"If you were one of the fortunate people to have met and worked with Charlie, then you knew him to be one of the nicest persons you will ever have the privilege of encountering. He was just one of those rare people who was very low key and would help you anytime and anywhere. Being one of the fortunate ones, I will sadly miss him and have been thinking about him since I was informed of his passing. God bless you, Charlie!"

-Steve Tranni, NeSSA Vice President

“Few people can claim the privilege of having met or known a man like Charlie during their lifetime. Even fewer had the chance to work closely with him. The world has lost an extraordinary individual – a man of integrity, determination, leadership, generosity, and much more. For me, the loss is personal. I didn’t just lose my ‘jefe,’ as I called him; I lost a best friend, a second father, and a mentor. Charlie leaves behind a strong legacy that we at SIMI will strive to uphold every single day. I won’t let my friend down. My heart is broken.”

-Neftali Aponte, NeSSA Director

At this time and in line with our Bylaws, our Vice President, Steve Tranni, will perform the duties of the President for the remainder of 2024. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Charlie’s family, friends, colleagues, fellow Board Members, and all who had the privilege of knowing him. In this time of mourning, we find strength in our shared memories and the enduring impact Charlie made.

With deepest sympathy,

Courtney J. Kahler, Executive Director
on behalf of the NeSSA Board of Directors