Charles Eugene Perrotta

Charles Eugene Perrotta entered the church triumphant on May 20, 2024.  Born to Charles Louis Perrotta and Antionette Camuso Perrotta on January 24, 1933, he was the first of their five children.

Charles took jobs as a milkman and as a brakeman with the Pennsylvania Railroad working his way through Youngstown University, where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree.  Upon graduation he entered the US Navy and was stationed in Pensacola, Florida where he began flight training.  He received his wings as a naval aviator in 1957 and was assigned to the USS New Jersey.  During his naval years, he was most honored to train future pilots, as they began their aviation career – many of those going on to serve in Vietnam.  His love of teaching never ceased, he continued to teach flight ground school for many decades.  He retired from the Navy as a Lieutenant Commander.

After a brief career as a high school science teacher, he joined the FBI.  His FBI career took him to Monterey, California, where he trained as a forensic document examiner, while also becoming fluent in the Russian language.

The next decades involved more education, cross-country moves, and joyous times with his children and their friends.  In 1977, Charles received a Masters Degree in Forensic Science from George Washington University.  Upon retirement from the FBI, Charles maintained a private practice as a certified document examiner, serving as an expert handwriting examiner in over 200 judicial cases.  In addition, he served five years with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Dept.

Charles was the epitome of a Renaissance man. His love of language, literature, art, and music made for an easy bond with his beloved wife, Marlene. They met in 1992 and married in 1994, spending the next 30 years making beautiful music together. His passion for music led him to study the clarinet, saxophone, piano, and cello. He shared his musical gifts with young and old alike.

Born into the Catholic faith, it served him well throughout his life.  No matter his location or what his career path, he always found a place to worship or attend mass.  As a faithful member of St Luke Catholic Church, he served as a mass coordinator.  He also joined Marlene in worship at Morning Star Lutheran Church, becoming part of an instrumental ensemble playing the clarinet. 

Left to celebrate wonderful moments and memories of their husband, dad, brother, uncle, PopPop and Poppy are his wife, Marlene, his brother Dennis Perrotta (Barbara), niece Gina, his children Suzanne Patton (Jim), Diana Rockefeller (Doug), Charlie (Helen), and Rebecca Parks.  Grandchildren Christopher Patton (Katie), Brian Patton (Megan), Jacquelyn Patton (fiancé Tyler), Andrew Rockefeller (Emilie), Nick Rockefeller (fiancée Erin), John Rockefeller, Brittany Covington, Ben Perrotta (fiancée Destiny), Diana Perrotta, Amber Parks, Josh Parks (Amber), Seth Parks, Angelica Stublaski.  Great Grandchildren, Emory and Evelyn Patton, Paige and Camryn Patton, Eric Covington and Jacey Byrd, and two great-granddaughters will soon join the family legacy, surely to hear wonderful stories of their beloved PopPop.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Charles Eugene Perrotta, please visit our floral store.