Charles A. LoPresto Sr.

Ret. Capt. Charles A. LoPresto Sr., 75, beloved husband for 51 years of Agnes (Sposato) LoPresto, of Pequot Trail, Pawcatuck, died April 13, 2008, in The Westerly Hospital.
Born in Westerly, he was the son of the late Anthony and Delpha (Maes) LoPresto.
Mr. LoPresto served on the Stonington Police Force for 28 years, retiring as captain in the mid 1980s.
Charlie was a graduate of St. Michael School with the Class of "46" and a graduate of Stonington High School with the Class of "50." He was a veteran of the U.S. Army honorably discharged following service from 1953-1955. From 1968 to 1972 he attended New Haven College, received an associate degree in 1970, and graduated with his bachelor's degree in 1972 from the newly named University of New Haven.
Charlie continued his law enforcement education graduating from the Police Academy in Meriden, Conn., Babson College, in Wellesley, Mass., having taken numerous courses to further his education, some of which were the University of Conn. Fire Marshal School, FBI Fingerprinting at the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va., Arnold Markle Criminal Law in New Haven, the New Haven College for Forensic Science and the University of New Haven for Business Administration.
Charlie was the originator of the first Policeman's Mass for law enforcement agencies at St. Michael the Archangel Church. He received numerous commendations during his law enforcement career including commendations from the A.T.F. (Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Association), DEA (Drug Enforcement Association) (he took part in the biggest drug "bust" in the state of Conn. with Eddie Steele; they confiscated 2,100 pounds of hashish.)
Charlie was a lifelong communicant of St. Michael the Archangel Church in Pawcatuck, a member of the Maria Assunta Society, and of the Knights of Columbus in Stonington, former president of the New London County Detectives Association, first president of the police union and recipient of the Distinguished Service Award, and he helped raise funds for the Jimmy Fund. He was also a long-term coach and volunteer at the Pawcatuck Little League.
Surviving in addition to his wife are three sons, Charles A. LoPresto Jr. of Poulsbo, Wash., Christopher J. LoPresto and Mark D. LoPresto of Westerly; three daughters, Pamela Burgert of Ashaway, Lauri A. Heflin of Indianapolis, Ind., and Charlene White of Pawcatuck; one brother, Donald A. LoPresto of Pawcatuck; four sisters, Charlotte Chaney and Gloria Garafolo, both of Misquamicut, Frances Carpino of Monterey, Calif., and Mary Bottone of Bellevue, Wash.; 13 grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Calling hours will be held today from 3 to 6 p.m. in the Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home, 59 Spruce St., Westerly.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Liturgy to be celebrated Wednesday at 10 a.m. in St. Michael the Archangel Church, 60 Liberty St., Pawcatuck. No procession from the funeral home to the church. Burial with military honors will be in St. Michael Cemetery, Pawcatuck.