Charles R. Belforte

WWII veteran and longtime Sacramento businessman, died peacefully in his sleep Wednesday morning, Sept 16, 2015. He was 91. Pete was born and raised in Stockton CA, and lived the past 65 years in Sacramento. Upon graduating from Stockton High, he was drafted into the military and served with the 367th squadron in the 306th Bomb Group of the 8th Air Force in the Army Air Corps. Pete flew 35 bombing missions out of Thurleigh, England over occupied France and Germany between 1943 and 1944 as engineer and top turret gunner on B17s. Upon completion of his military service, he married Betty Jean Piuma. They had 67 wonderful years together until her death in 2013. Pete attended College of the Pacific (now UOP) and went on to graduate from the University of California, Berkeley with degrees in Forestry and Business. He worked for 35 years for Setzer Forest Products, starting as a forester and eventually becoming general manager. Pete was a dynamic and out-going guy who enjoyed telling stories and loved his family and his country. He was involved in many social and community activities, including his service in the Sacramento County Taxpayers League. He had his private pilot's license, was a die hard 49ers fan, and a political junkie. He enjoyed golf, gardening, and many trips to Carmel with his wife and friends. Pete is preceded in death by his wife Betty, his brother Rolland, sister-in-law Ruth and his sister Leanore. He is survived by his daughter, Karen Valle (Steve), his grandchildren, Michael and Matthew Valle, his son Ryan, his daughter-in-law, Paula Page, and his nephew, William Belforte (Brenda). Services will be private. His family is quite certain he would have wanted any remembrances to go to "Marco Rubio for President".