Today, July 26, 2014, marks what would have been your 76th birthday. We miss you so much Chuck.  As  I go through old albums, I see pictures of you as that vivacious, smart and loving kid.  I also see pictures of  good times at you annual 4th of July cook out and the many good times we shared as family.  You said to me once, not long ago.  "All we have left are memories and soon we will be memries too."  Happy Birthday Chuck.  You are and always will be "FOREVER MISSED"

Where shall I begin!  I'm Chucks older sister Mary (Ranzino) Glorioso.  He as born on July 26, 1938, at home in Gary, Indiana.  A mid-wife assisted in his birth.  We were sent away because the little guy was about to be born.  When we came home he was there and when we asked how he got there, we were told that he was delivered to us in a suitcase. LOL.  How different things were then!

As he got older, he was a feisty little guy.  One time he hung out of the third story window and told the family he was going to jump.  Our mom as hysterical.  Our brother Sam was home from college and said "let him drop!"  Guess what; he didn't drop.


I remember taking him to the park and he was so tired and I had to carry him two miles to home.  As little as he was he was always into mischief but I loved him so much and he always made me laugh.  He loved animals, especially cats.  One day I opened the closet door and to my surprise; low and behold a cat had delivered a litter of kittens.  I can remember seeing him with a cat draped around his neck like a fur collar.


When he was in his teens, my husband John and I took him to Chicago.  He worked side by side with John.  And John taught him to be a carpenter and the carpentry business. He did well.


I will always remember this bundle of joy, who was full of mischief, a hard worker and a wonderful human being.


He was a great father, a good family man.  Beverly was a great wife and mother.  I will miss his trips to Florida.  I welcome all of my family to come to Florida, any time......


I love you and will always miss you dear brother.    
  
Your loving sister,
Mary 


PS:  This is Betty, I am entering Mary's memories of her brother because at 84 years old she does not do much with computers         

     
   

My brother Chuck, who I affectionately called Junior, was the sibling who was closest in age to me.  Growing up he was my babysitter, my pseudo-father, my hero.  My brother Junior would always tell me how when I was a baby he would take me for rides in my baby stroller to show me off.  I think he also said that he charged people to take a peek!  Now that sounds like Chuck, doesn't it?--He was an entrepreneur even back then!

Years later when he and Bev went out on dates, he would sometimes bring me along with them.  He really didn't have much of a choice because I knew that if I cried long and hard enough it would melt his heart, and he would inevitably cave in and take me with them.

I lived with Junior and Bev for two years while my Dad went off to finish constructing his apartment building in Sicily.  During that time my brother was my substitute father.  Living with me during those years when I was in 7th and 8th grade I'm sure was not easy for him.  But to this day, I remember those two years as special because I was able to spend time with my big brother, Bev and the two babies Vince and Marianne (Sissy).

Times changed after that, Junior and Bev moved to Illinois so we didn't see so much of each other, but we always got together for a big picnic on my father's birthday on July 4--a tradition my brother continued for years afterwards.

My brother was bigger than life itself.  He could always bring a smile to people's faces with his humor.  He could have a tough exterior (growing up in Gary, Indiana, can do that to you!), but he had a big heart and would do anything for his family.  He enjoyed life to the fullest, which leads me to believe that he's upstairs with all his relatives and friends who have gone before him having a big party--and he would want us to do the same.

So let's celebrate the colorful life that my brother led.  More than he will ever know, he enriched our lives with his charismatic presence, his captivating stories and jokes and his caring nature.

May we be comforted knowing that he is now in the warm embrace of our creator and when the time comes for us to join him, he'll be there waiting to greet us with his warm smile and a chuckle.

Rest in peace my dear brother.  I love you very much and will miss you.