Charles Joseph "Charlie" Carniglia

A lover of life and the life of the party, Charlie passed away on Sunday, September 19, 2010 in Santa Rosa. He is survived by his loving wife, Mary; his children Steve Carniglia (Carol) and Janice Bello (Ed); his grandchildren Jeff (Missy), Greg (Kelly), Jim (Jolie) and Dena (Gary); his great-grandchildren Luke, Andrew, Ryan, Mara, Ashlyn, and Eily; his sister Rita Hall; and many nieces and nephews. His brother, Alfred Carniglia preceded him in death. Charlie, the oldest of three, was born January 11, 1923 to Charles and Rose (Bertoni) Carniglia, a pioneer family in Santa Rosa. He attended St. Rose Elementary School, Santa Rosa High School, SRJC, and San Jose State University. He began his professional career working as an apprentice in his father's insurance agency, and later became the president of Carniglia, Wilkey and Marocco Insurance Agency. He was also a successful contractor and assisted in the development of many Sonoma, Napa and Lake County neighborhoods. And finally, he served as a California Inheritance Tax Referee. He was a proud veteran of World War II, and was stationed on Johnston Island in the North Pacific where he served as an Aviator in the US Navy flying PBY Catalinas. He also graciously served the Santa Rosa community in various capacities. He was a member of the Sonoma County Grand Jury, the Young Men's Institute (YMI), the Knights of Columbus and was a charter parishioner of St. Eugene's Cathedral. He was a past president of The Santa Rosa Golf & Country Club, the Santa Rosa Board of Education and the Santa Rosa Junior Chamber of Commerce, where he played an instrumental role in the return of the Rose Parade (post World War II), and served as Grand Marshal. Charlie was an exceptionally talented musician. Besides entertaining family and friends at the piano or by strumming the ukulele, he was an acclaimed violinist for the Santa Rosa Symphony, and at 17 years old, was a featured soloist at the World's Fair. He also enjoyed playing golf, fishing, hunting and cooking. He was a member of RKR and Folded Hills hunting clubs, and the Sonoma County Radio Amateur Club. And finally, Charlie was an avid woodworker. His favorite pastime was working in his state-of-the-art woodshop making one-of-a-kind pieces of furniture for those he loved. Family and friends are invited to attend a funeral Mass on Friday, September 24th at 10:00 a.m. at St. Eugene's Cathedral, 2323 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa. Donations may be made to the Carniglia Scholarship fund for Ursuline High School, 90 Ursuline Rd. Santa Rosa, Ca. 95403 or to the charity of your choice. DANIELS CHAPEL OF THE ROSES FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES 525-3730