Charles Thomas Ciraolo
OBITUARY
Charles Thomas Ciraolo, age 96, passed away peacefully on September 17, just one week before celebrating his 97th birthday. He was surrounded by the love of his family.
A proud and deeply patriotic man, Charles honorably served his country in the U.S. Army twice. He first enlisted immediately after graduating from high school, and his dedication was called upon once more when he was recalled to duty as the Korean War broke out.
Following his military service, Charles became a visionary entrepreneur. He was an exceptionally hardworking man whose mind was always working, constantly searching for new ideas and better ways to build things. Starting with absolutely nothing, he literally built his very first business by hand, laying the foundation for a lifetime of innovation. Charles went on to establish numerous successful businesses over his lifetime and was a talented inventor, securing several United States patents. a venture that stood as a proud testament to his endless ingenuity and the joy of working side-by- side with his loved ones.
Yet, for all of his incredible professional achievements, Charles’s greatest success and the true love of his entire life was his family. Every ounce of his relentless hard work was driven by a deep desire to provide for them and ensure they were always well taken care of. He was married for an extraordinary 73 years to his beloved wife, Frances Carole Thomas Ciraolo. Their marriage was nothing short of amazing; they truly treasured one another and worked side-by-side through every chapter of life. No matter how busy his mind or his businesses kept him, Charles always made time for the people he loved most.
Beyond his family and his work, Charles was an avid, lifelong fisherman whose passion for the ocean took him on adventures all over the world. He went bonefishing on the remote Christmas Islands and fished for salmon in the wild waters of Alaska. In a remarkable testament to his love for the sport, his entire family moved to Mexico, where Charles spent 365 consecutive days fishing the beautiful waters of Cabo San Lucas. He truly loved being out on the water, and his family takes immense comfort in knowing that he is cast away on his final, eternal voyage, fishing peacefully in heaven.
Charles is survived by his cherished wife, Frances; his devoted daughters, Charvet and Sally; his grandsons, Michael and William Vecchio (along with William’s wife, Rachel); and his brand-new, one-month-old great-granddaughter, Alana. He leaves behind a legacy of unconditional love, brilliant determination, and a family that will forever carry his adventurous spirit in their hearts.
A memorial of Charles’s life will be held at 10 AM on October 17 at La Mesa United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his honor to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.