Charlie Hackworth
The IRgA was saddened to learn of the August 12 passing of Charlie Hackworth, owner of Hackworth Graphics in Chesapeake, Virginia and a long-time leader in IRgA and regional reprographic associations.
“When we were talking about accomplishing a task, Charlie always just said, ‘Tell me what you want me to do,’ and then he rolled up his sleeves,” remembers Michael Shaw, co-owner of Jamaica Blueprint in New York and former IRgA president. “Over the years I had many personal, business and family conversations with him, and he was just a regular person that you could always talk to. Now that voice is silenced, wow.”
Hackworth, who passed away at age 85, began his reprographics career in 1958 working for Henry Eagleton Co., a blueprinter in Norfolk, Virginia. He and his wife Dorothy started their own company, Engineering Media, in 1974. Together with their son Charles II, they launched Hackworth Reprographics in 1991. That company today has seven locations and offers services ranging from traditional reprographics to vehicle wraps to highway signage.
Charlie never really retired. His son Charles runs the company now, but Charlie was still coming into the office a couple of times a week until his death.
Left to right: Charlie, Dorothy and Charles II Hackworth
Charlie also continued his involvement with the IRgA. He was an active member of IRgA’s 100th Birthday Committee, which is planning the association’s centennial in 2027. Charlie served on IRgA’s board in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and was honored with the George Bukovsky Award, the association’s highest honor, in 2007. He also was heavily involved in the Eastern Reprographics Association and the Southeastern Reprographics Association.
“Charlie was one of the first people I connected with when I became involved with the IRgA Board,” remembers Kim Long, owner of Reprodux in Toronto and a former IRgA president. “I didn’t know him well, but I remember how friendly and welcoming he was to me when I was new to the board. That kindness made an impression on me.”
In addition to his successful reprographics career, Charlie was a chaplain for the local police and fire department and involved in many community organizations. Click here to read his formal obituary: https://www.grahamfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Charles-G-Hackworth?obId=49230164
Stay tuned for a history of Hackworth Graphics, based on an interview with Charlie, Charles and Dorothy that took place just a week prior to his passing.