Charles A. Bizzaro, age 87, of Richmond, passed away quietly and peacefully on Friday (July 18, 2014) at Reid Hospital. He was born in Richmond on December 8, 1926 to Chester and Josephine Porfidio Bizzaro both immigrants of Marcianise, Italy. In 1943 Charles joined the Navy, doing basic training and gunnery school in Chicago, then to Lambert Field at the US Naval Station outside of Saint Louis. He then spent 10 months at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. .After he came back home to Richmond, he worked for Crosley and then Avco until it closed in 1974. While employed at Avco, he became business manager for the Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Union. He then worked for Kemper Brothers Cabinet Company for 14 years, getting involved with the Union there as well. He served on the Board of Directors of United Way, was President of the Richmond Plan Commission for 9 years and also spent 5 years serving on the Human Resources Relations Committee. He retired in 1990. He was instrumental in organizing the Fairview Neighborhood Association and was active with it for many years helping to improve the area and planning many events for both adults and children in the neighborhood. He was well known by all for his famous Italian dinners and would often insist that people who just stopped by to visit, or even to help with a project he was involved in, stay and have a wonderful Italian dinner or lunch with him. He successfully introduced many friends and acquaintances to amazing Italian cuisine long before Italian restaurants were on every corner. He loved life and enjoyed the company of friends and family. Charles is survived by his wife of 66 years, Marilyn Miller Bizzaro; his daughters and their husbands, Christina and Robert Erbse and Mary Jo and Dr. James Szymanowski. He was blessed with grandchildren: Amy Jo Witte and husband Lou, Kara Sum and husband Joe, Shawn McNabb and wife Jen, Jason Szymanowski and wife Gari, Keith Szymanowski and Jill Szymanowski Crull and husband Todd. He was further blessed with great grandchildren: Zada Valentine and Ozzy Witte, Landen and Kamdyn Sum, Daulton and Clayton Coates, Christopher and Jordan Szymanowski, Ayden Szymanowski and Heather, Olivia and William Crull. Nothing brought him greater pleasure than their stories of playing sports and the hugs and kisses they bestowed on him. He is also survived by a sister, Anna Mae Allen and her children Bernadette (husband Tim) Williams, Michael (wife Marriann) Allen, John Allen and their families. He also leaves a very special cousin, Anna Marie Ferriell and her husband John, as well as many life-long friends. Charles leaves us with many memories and stories to share and keep him with us in spirit forever. He was preceded in death by his parents, Chester and Josephine Bizzaro; a sister, Carmella (Clara) Bizzaro Dadisman, aunts, uncles and cousins. Private services will be held at Riggle - Waltermann Mortuary on Wednesday (July 23, 2014) at the convenience of the family. Deacon Frank Roberts will officiate. Burial will be in Saint Andrew Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Help the Animals, P.O. Box 117, Richmond, Indiana 47375. www.riggle-waltermann.com