Charles Bird

1925 - 2016

Charles Vance Bird
March 6, 1925 - May 26, 2016
Charles ("Chuck") Vance Bird passed away on Thursday, May 26th, after a brief period of in-home hospice care.  He was born in Modesto on March 6, 1925 to William and Katherine Bird, both from Missouri. When Charles was five, the family moved to Stockton, California, where he later graduated from Stockton High School. 
From 1943 to 1946, Charles served in the Army Air Corps, attaining the rank of sergeant before completing his service. Charles next pursued undergraduate studies at the University of Pacific. An accomplished saxophonist, he initially majored in music and fronted his own dance band, The Bluebirds. Although his passion for music never abated, Charles decided to change his major to Business Administration, and he earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of the Pacific in 1949. He later completed graduate work at the University of California, Santa Cruz and Humphrey's College.
In 1953, Charles moved to Modesto, where he raised his family, and started his long tenure (1953 to 1982) as Director of Finance for the City of Modesto. When Charles began working for the Finance Department, the population of Modesto was only 23,000.  As the city grew and changed, Charles played an integral role in ensuring it was well managed and financially stable, and he became actively involved in the political, cultural and business life of the community. One particularly rewarding highlight was his election to the Modesto City Council, a position he held from 1989 to 1993. Charles was a member of the Modesto-East Rotary Club and president of the local chapter of the Native Sons of the Golden West. He spent forty very enjoyable years as a member of the Sportsmen of Stanislaus (SOS) Club, and served on the Board of Directors, including time as its president.
In a life dedicated to public service, Charles also steadfastly worked to ensure more effective government at the state level. Toward that end, he served as the president of the California Society of Municipal Finance Officers, the chairman of the Advisory Committee to the State Controller (1972-1982) and as a member of the Board of Directors of the League of California Cities (1981-1982). In addition, he used his extensive financial experience and expertise as an instructor of Financial Management and Budgeting with the Institute of Taxation, and in developing and teaching courses at the University of California, Santa Cruz, for the professional development of public officials. After retiring from the Finance Department, Charles worked for several years as a financial consultant for cities throughout California. 
As his professional life and civic life developed, Charles was also busy raising his sons, Charles and Steven.  After marrying Connie Hillas Joseph in 1972, his family expanded to include Connie's son Bruce, and their large, extended Greek family.  Charles was baptized in the Greek Church in 1994, with George Katsufrakis (now deceased) serving as his godfather.
An avid sportsman, Charles had a deep appreciation for the great outdoors. He was a member of the Stockton Yacht Club from 1985-1997, and he and Connie took great pleasure in the many fun excursions on their boat. Charles also relished hunting, fishing, gardening and many other outdoor activities. He loved to travel, especially when it involved cruising the Greek Islands, fishing in Alaska or skiing all over western North America.   Even after a stroke in 1995 left him with somewhat limited mobility, Charles continued to travel widely and to pursue outdoor pastimes. Some of his favorite moments were spent relaxing at his treasured country retreat in the Sierra Nevada foothills near Tuolumne, where he and Connie hosted many happy gatherings for family and friends.
Connie and the family would like to express deep appreciation to the two loving caregivers, Karina Guillen and Sonya Poe, who provided so much support during the last two years, even making a final cruise to Mexico possible. Karina and Sonya enlivened Charles' final days and helped Connie immensely.
Charles will be greatly missed by his devoted wife, Connie Bird, son Steven Bird (and his wife, Caroline Wadlin Bird), son Bruce Joseph (and his wife, Emily Bittner), grandchildren Siobhan Westphall, Kayleigh and Sean Bird, Sascha Bittner and Caleb and Annika Hilladakis, two great-grandchildren, numerous other relatives in his close, extended family, and many friends and colleagues.  He is preceded in death by his son, Charles Bird.
Trisagion services will be on Thursday, June 2, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, 313 Tokay Avenue, Modesto. Funeral services will be held Friday, June 3, 10:00 a.m., at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, with lunch in the social hall immediately after the services, followed by interment at Lakewood Memorial Park, 900 Santa Fe Avenue, Hughson. Pallbearers will be: Sean Bird; Caleb Hilladakis; John A. Hillas, Jr.; Michael Hillas; John J. Hillas; and Adam Govani.
Remembrances may be made to the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, Community Hospice of Modesto (4368 Spyres Way, Modesto, CA 95356) or the Mellis Scholarship Fund, c/o the S.O.S. Club (819 Sunset Avenue, Modesto, CA 95351).
 
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