Charles "Charlie" P. Tozzi

Born the second of 4 brothers in Bridgeport, CT of Italian parents, he was raised in Catholic schools through high school where he played football and was elected senior class president (only to be stripped of that honor after participating in a prank not approved by the priest!). Celebrating graduation he joined friends on a road trip to Miami and attended Miami-Dade Jr. College. He served in the US Army including one year in Vietnam.

After his military duty, he graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing and began working in travelling sales representing a major cosmetics company and relocated to major markets starting in Knoxville, then Minneapolis, Atlanta, and, finally, Dallas. In 1980 he married his long-time sweetheart, Jean Russo, and they began a 45-year happy and devoted marriage in Dallas after falling in love with Texas.

Charlie obtained his real estate broker’s license and focused on commercial real estate where he achieved the professional designation of Certified Property Manager and specialized in mid-rise and high-rise office buildings. He was a “natural” at it, very dedicated to serving his clients, and worked very hard for 43 years with major firms such as Fults, KOLL Management, CB Richard Ellis, Grubb & Ellis, Cushman & Wakefield, Transwestern, and Lincoln Property Company before he retired to Tyler TX.

His personality could best be described as witty with a very dry sense of humor which could catch people off-guard and make them laugh. He was privately passionate about his extended family, traveled with friends, toured 11 presidential libraries, politics, and football. He loved cooking especially Italian foods and enjoyed any dessert.

Charlie is predeceased by his parents, Lucille Pulvirente Tozzi and Michael Lewis Tozzi, and his brother, Tony Tozzi. He is survived by his adoring wife (Jean Russo) and immediate family: two brothers (Russ Tozzi and Michael Tozzi), two sisters-in-law (Kathy Tozzi and Grace Marie Russo), and 2 brothers-in-law (Anthony Russo and wife Judith and Ray Russo and wife Lori) and 11 precious nieces and nephews plus 13 great-nieces and great-nephews.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Friday, May 9, at 10:30 AM at Christ the King Catholic Church, 8701 Preston Road, Dallas. Inurnment will immediately follow at Sparkman-Hillcrest Cemetery, 7405 W. Northwest Highway, Dallas.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice to honor Charlie’s life.