CHARLES ANTHONY COLARUSSO

Charles Anthony Colarusso, of Los Angeles, CA, died on December 7, 2006, his 72nd birthday. He was born in Mt. Vernon, NY to the late Pasquale (Bobby Jones) and Jennie (DiMarzo) Colarusso. Charles graduated from A.B. Davis High School and Parsons School of Design in New York City. In his early career, Charles worked as a graphic designer in New York City. He then embarked on a highly successful career in television production. In the mid 60's, he was associate producer of such popular shows as "Fractured Phrases", "Its Your Move" and "Picture This" for which he also designed all the logos. Moving to Los Angeles in 1968, Charles joined the staff of "The Movie Game". In the early 70's, he began a 10-year working relationship with Dinah Shore as associate producer of her talk shows, "Dinah's Place" and "Dinah!" Charles then went on to produce syndicated talk shows starring Jim Nabors, John Davidson, Chuck Woolery and Will Shriner. He was the executive producer of the game shows "Dream House" and "Every Second Counts", which he also created. Charles was also an executive for many years at Group W Productions. He always enjoyed entertaining his sister, nephews, nieces, aunts, cousins and friends from New York when they visited. In recent years, Charles pursued a successful career as an artist and was a collector of contemporary American art. He was also writing a book on his life experience as a heart transplant recipient. Charles is survived by his sister Patricia Fusco, three nephews, Michael Fusco and his wife Regina, Steven Fusco and his wife Joanne, Thomas Fusco and his niece Joya and her husband Louis Silva. Great-uncle of Lauren, Nicholas, Andrew and Jonathan. Also surviving are his aunts, Gerry Gnerre, Gloria DiMarzo and Dolores DiMarzo and many cousins and friends. He was predeceased by his companion of 45 years, Art Bear, who died on September 17, 2006, his 81st birthday. Memorial Mass 10:30 am Saturday, January 6, 2007 at Assumption Church, Tuckahoe (Use Wallace Ave. entrance). Burial will take place on a later date at Holy Mount Cemetery, Eastchester. The family would appreciate donations made to the American Heart Assoc., P.O. Box 3049, Syracuse, NY 13220-3049 or to the New York Organ Donor Network, 132 West 31st St., New York, NY 10001-3406.