On May 15, 2020, heaven is rejoicing as Charles Bernard
Barcelona, (of Pittsburgh, PA and Boca Raton FL)
extraordinary, one of a kind patriarch, commander in chief,
champion, and self proclaimed most important role of all, ‘the
Nono’ has passed away 2 months after celebrating his 90th
birthday with his college sweetheart (Toledo University) and
wife, Nancy (Naumann) and 3 children Bindy (Dave Matesic),
Brett (Teresa Torrell) and Beth (Joe Lipovich) and his entire
ever growing family.
To so many, Chuck was known for incredible accomplishments and recognized for service to others, receiving achievements and awards in sports, business, and life. He was family first, an unsurpassed son, brother, uncle, husband and father (and both grand and great); an avid
sports’ enthusiast, and captain on the football field; an army
lieutenant; a dynamic philanthropist; and a pioneer in the
grocery business spanning from Pittsburgh at Foodland/Fox
Grocery Co. to Buffalo, NY as President and CEO of Peter J.
Schmitt /Bells Markets.
Chuck led the campaigns of many: Catholic Charities, United
Way, Boys Town of Italy, March of Dimes, and initiated kids’
foundations through professional athletes.
One of the highlights of his life with Nancy was meeting
privately, Pope John Paul II, and was truly touched by a Saint.
Anyone who has ever met our Dad, Chuck, was also touched
by the immediate interest he took upon introduction. From
restaurant servers, clinicians, drivers, tour guides, doctors,
CEOs, celebrities and Presidents of the US, …He was about
engagement, connections, eye to eye, a warm embrace, a
strong handshake, genuine care, and most definitely
discerning advice...if you too measured up on sincerity,
honesty, and no bs, more than anything you were his fast
friend and he’d jump through hoops to demonstrate this. And
if you were really lucky, you were soon to be considered part
of his family.
Whether it was taking the reigns of a failing grocery chain and
turning it around, building a marina out of the swampy shores
of lake Chautauqua in retirement or at the age of 87 helping a
disabled orphaned man succeed at living a dignified life of
self sufficiency, no one could be as passionate about a plan
as Charles Barcelona.
A big unheralded part of every plan was always bringing
others on board. Chuck’s success was much more
meaningful, much sweeter and much greater to him when it
was shared. And the friendships he made along the way were
his measure of success.
His biggest accomplishment and what he was most PROUD
is the love story he created with our mom for 70 years and
their 3 (+3) children and their ever growing families of 18
grandkids, 2 great grand kids and 3 babies on the way.
In the spirit of our Dad’s life, in lieu of flowers, if you would like
to pay a little kindness forward to someone along the way,
…maybe a little advice to a younger person (he’d love that),
tip the drive through worker, or treat a friend to lunch,...and
then think of our dad and say a prayer in his great memory.
A Roman Catholic Funeral Service will be held at St. Jude
Catholic Church 21689 Toledo Rd. Boca Raton, Fl. 33433 on
Monday May 18, 2020 at 10 am. The mass will be live
streamed with details to follow for family or friends that are
unable to attend.
FAMILIA
Nancy Naumann BarcelonaWife
Bindy BucciDaughter
Dave MatesicSon-in-law
Brett BarcelonaSon
Teresa Torrell BarcelonaDaughter-in-law
Beth LipovichDaughter
Joe LipovichSon-in-law
Mr. Barcelona also had 18 loving grandchildren.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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