Charles Irving Usherwood, 90, of Cicero N.Y., founder of Usherwood Office Technology, passed on June 18, 2024. A legendary business leader and family man, Charles (Charlie) Usherwood forged a legacy that all started with a small business technology shop located in Oswego, N.Y. in 1976.
For over 20 years, Charlie led the business as company president alongside his wife Carol Usherwood.
In June 1997, Charlie sold the business to his son, Lou Usherwood. In October of that year, his other son, Charlie Usherwood Jr, became the business’ Chief Technology Officer. Even after his retirement, Charlie Sr. still regularly took part in company events and activities.
Today, Usherwood Office Technology is a leader in business technology solutions across the Northeast, with 18 locations and counting spanning seven states. The business has created countless jobs across the region, and there are many long-time employees that have been with the company for 25+ years.
A Brilliant & Charismatic Entrepreneur
Charlie Sr.’s integrity and tenacity transferred to all other aspects of how Usherwood conducts business to this day. Through his brilliant business strategy, he forged relationships across Central New York and beyond, transforming and pioneering the local office technology market.
Although his charisma and entrepreneurship were unmatched, what truly set Charlie apart was the way he treated others. He could make friends with anyone, and as his son and Usherwood CEO Lou Usherwood puts it, “Everyone who met him loved him.”
It was always a special treat for Usherwood employees when Charlie would stop into the Syracuse headquarters.
“Charlie would come to the office to visit from time to time, jokingly saying he was checking to see if we were working. He was always a joy to talk to. Charlie would offer his words of wisdom and bring a smile to everyone’s face,” said Jody Corriders, a longtime Client Services Team Leader who works at Usherwood’s Syracuse headquarters.
“He will be truly missed.”
Creating a Third Generation Family-Owned and Operated Business
Charlie took great pride in his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. As his family grew, so did their involvement in the family-owned business carrying on his legacy.
Charlie’s granddaughter Lauren Usherwood, who serves as a Business Development Executive for Usherwood, recalled her grandfather’s philosophy on running a successful business:
“Grandpa was huge on client service. He always said if you take great care of your clients, the rest will fall into place,” Lauren recounted.
Community Involvement and Stewardship
Charlie Sr. was also very active in serving the community. Lou Usherwood recounted all the times he and his brother Charlie Jr. would get out of hockey practice and help their dad deliver for Meals on Wheels in Oswego.
“Sometimes we’d still be in our hockey gear delivering Meals on Wheels with our father as kids,” Lou reminisced.
As a former hockey player on the 1953 graduating team at Valley High School in Syracuse and founding member of the Oswego Minor Hockey Association, he later went on to volunteer as a youth hockey coach from 1964 - 1976.
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Lifting Up Fellow Business Leaders in the Industry
Throughout the years, Charlie demonstrated his integrity and good-hearted nature by networking with other business owners to pass on his wisdom and business stories.
“He wasn’t afraid to help another dealer in our industry. If they were having trouble raising revenue, if they were having trouble with their people, I can remember countless other dealerships that were in touch with us throughout the 80s and into the 90’s because we were a growing business,” Lou said.
“My father was more than willing to ‘open up the books’ so to speak to friends to help them glean anything they could in order to help their business.”
Leading With Care to Leave a Lasting Impact
From its start selling and repairing cash registers to now offering managed printing, managed IT, managed communications and security solutions to over 7,000 businesses in the Northeast, Usherwood Office Technology has retained its founder’s philosophy of doing “whatever it takes” to provide best-in-class service.
“The way he treated people was the most remarkable thing,” Lou said “He endeared himself to people. He made raving fans of anybody who met him.”
You can find the obituary for Charles Irving Usherwood at https://www.butlerbadmanfuneralhome.com/obituary/charles-usherwood