Charles Edmond Cimerro

Charles Edmund Cimerro, 94, of Raleigh, NC, passed peacefully into eternal life due to natural causes on Saturday, November 19, 2022. As a first-generation American, Charles was born January 17, 1928, in Brooklyn, New York City, as the only child of Charles Pasqual Cimerro, who immigrated from Cicily, Italy, and Anne Pulliam of Roxboro, NC.

Charles’ father was a jeweler, boxer, opera singer, and painter (whose work hung in the Louvre). His mother worked as a surgical nurse. Charles would embody many of his parents’ diverse talents. He was 12 years old when his parents divorced—the year he was baptized. He moved to Durham, NC, with his mother when she attended Watts School of Nursing, then to Buford, GA, when she accepted a job as a surgical nurse. While attending high school year-round and taking college extension classes, Charles worked as a mechanic at Delta Airlines in Atlanta and illustrated posters for local theatres, storefronts, and billboards.

After graduating from high school two years early, Charles joined the U.S. Navy and served on the USS Midway as a member of the U.S. Navy VA 5B Squadron search and rescue crew. Unfortunately, his half-brother was killed in the South Pacific before the end of the war.

After his tour, Charles studied Clinical Psychology and took art lessons at Wake Forest College from 1947 to 1950, marrying Joyce Temple of Zebulon, NC, the year he graduated. During his collegiate years, Charles was an accomplished kicker and receiver on the Wake Forest football team and a guard on the basketball team—activities a knee injury curtailed. He also bought sugar for “entrepreneurs” in the local area to earn money in college.

After graduating from college in three years, Charles served during the Korean conflict as a civilian theft and narcotics investigator for the U.S. Army Corps 82nd Airborne at Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force Base near Fayetteville, NC. He received the comptroller General Award for the Western Hemisphere and other awards and was offered an attractive commission for G-2 to serve in military intelligence for the U.S. Army headquarters. But instead, he became a sub foreman for the US Postal Transportation System in 1952, servicing seven states. Within three years, Charles was promoted to a Cadre Officer position in Greensboro, NC.

In 1960, Charles became a Federal Investigator for the U.S. Department of Treasury, an appointment he held until his retirement in 1985. With his blend of sophistication, street smarts, and meticulous attention to detail, a high percentage of his investigations led to successful prosecution. He was also able to fill various roles as an Offer in Compromise Specialist and Chief of Communications, Price Controls, and Special Procedures. For example, he raised his hand when the Treasury Department needed volunteers to find bootleggers. “Why do you want this job?” “Cause I know where they are.” One of his many colorful exploits was when he discovered, dismantled, and reassembled a marvelous still made out of steel by a German. When asked why he moved it to the courthouse lawn in Chatham County, Charles replied, “I couldn’t resist.”

In Fayetteville, Charles was a charter member who helped start Snyder Memorial Baptist Church and a member of Terry Sandford’s Sunday School class (at another church) before Sandford became Governor of N.C. Charles also enjoyed working alongside the military, meeting top brass as they passed through Fort Bragg for parachute credits.

In Raleigh, he was a long-time active member of the United Methodist Church. An excellent carpenter, he helped build the cabin on Cary Methodist Church’s campus where breakfast, music, and a weekly lesson taught by a dignitary drew crowds—a structure that remains today. Charles was also active as a member of five N.C. Toast Masters clubs, the BPOE Elks Lodge 602 in North Greensboro; North Ridge Country Club and Cary Country Club in Raleigh-Cary; and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. He befriended many actors, musicians, dignitaries, and others from all walks of life, organizing and promoting community events. Sadly, he and his second wife, Martha Phillips, were married ten years before she tragically died from an aneurysm.

Fortunately, Charles eventually met Ola Mae Bundy—a school teacher in Tarboro and an accomplished musician—in August 1988. They married in 1996 and traveled throughout the U.S. and abroad with Pilot Club International, a civic organization that supports people with brain-related disorders. He memorialized their travels with a growing collection of illustrations and paintings. He also received the South Wake County Senior Bowling award for consistently high scores in a competitive league. And he enjoyed working as a carpenter for Sonic Waves Studio and Millbrook Construction, businesses his son and best friend owned, respectively. He was also an accomplished day trader and investor who continued to be involved in Highland United Methodist Church and local activities. Known for his dry wit, self-deprecating sense of humor, and impeccable delivery of details, Charles loved to entertain. Most of all, Charles loved and understood people and had a generous heart.

Charles is survived by his wife Ola Mae Cimerro; daughter Carolyn Cimerro (Shannon Bartle) of Durham, NC; son Mark Cimerro and daughter-in-law Lisa Cimerro of Fuquay-Varina, NC; grandson John Flanagan of Durham, NC; granddaughter Lori Wilson of Wilmington, NC; and step-granddaughter Rael Maynard of Fuquay-Varina.

A memorial service celebrating his life is scheduled for December 3, 2022, at 2:00 p.m.

It will be held at Highland United Methodist Church, 1901 Ridge Road, Raleigh, NC 27607.

In place of flowers, donations may be sent to the Highland United Methodist Church.

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