Charles "Joe" Benore

1945 - 2025

Charles "Joe" Benore

March 26, 1945 - August 3, 2025

Charles Joseph "Joe" Benore, 80, of Toledo, Ohio, passed away peacefully on August 3, 2025, at Hospice of Northwest Ohio.

Born Giuseppe Antonio Grande, in Candela, Italy, during the final days of WWII on March 26, 1945, he was adopted from an orphanage in Rome at the age of 6 by Russell and Mary Beth Benore, and brought to Toledo, Ohio, joining their daughter, Beth. Joe graduated from Toledo St. Francis de Sales High School, Villanova University, the University of Dayton (MBA), and later, the University of Toledo College of Law. He helped grow his family's toy store chain, Hobby Center, into a regional success before embarking on a second career in law, serving as a public defender and advocate for families in Lucas County.

In 1978, he married Shelley Mercurio, and together they raised three children, Charlie, Monica, and Kate. Joe was a devoted father and later found joy in being a grandfather to four grandchildren. He loved the outdoors, family trips to Northern Michigan, fishing on Lake Erie, boating on The Lady Blue, and cooking meals at home. Joe was an explorer at heart and a man who embraced life fully-from music (saw Elvis Presley at the Toledo Sports Arena), to world travel, including solo-trips to Mexico City, Acapulco, and his hometown in Italy.

Joe is survived by his wife, Shelley; and their children, Charles Russel Benore (Amisha), Monica Alexis Cannon (Dave), and Kathryn Noel Wallace (Jeff); and four grandchildren, Alana Benore, Ellie and Henry Wallace, and Pierce Cannon.

Visitation will be held at Coyle Funeral Home, on Thursday, August 7, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., with a memorial service at 5:30 p.m. Those wishing to donate in his name are encouraged to consider Toledo St. Francis de Sales High School or Hospice of Northwest Ohio. Please view and sign Joe's online guest registry at CoyleFuneralHome.com.

www.coylefuneralhome.com