Charles J Calleja

Charles Joseph “Chuck” Calleja, 85, of Punta Gorda, FL passed away peacefully October 26, 2019 at the Bayfront Healthcare in Port Charlotte, FL surrounded by family. He was born July 3, 1934 in Detroit, Michigan to Joseph and Ermina Calleja. He and his family moved to Sarasota, FL from Livingstone County, Michigan in 1968. In 1978 they moved to Longmont, Colorado and returned to Florida settling in Punta Gorda in 1985.

He served honorably in the United States Army and worked for over fifty years as a building contractor in Sarasota and Charlotte counties, retiring in 2004. Locally, he was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Punta Gorda and was a Knight of Columbus.

Chuck, an entrepreneur at heart, loved being in business for himself and building beautiful homes across Sarasota and Charlotte Counties. For those who worked for and with him, he was looked up to as a mentor.

When not working, Chuck spent his time with family and he was proud of the legacy he and Sandra built raising their children.

Chuck also contributed time to his church through the Knights of Columbus, The Cursillo movement and as an usher.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Sandra Calleja of Punta Gorda, FL; children, Charles Timothy Calleja of Port Charlotte, FL; Christine Marie (Joseph) Lewis of Kimble, NE and Susan Sandra Cruz of Pittsburg, PA; grandchildren, Adam Valle of Tampa, FL, Ann Marie (Johnathan) Vaughn of Greenville, SC, Nikki and Alexis Cruz, both of Tampa, FL, Samual (Jennifer) Lewis of Gypsum, CO, Shannon (Ben) Mercer of Port Charlotte, FL, Anthony Joseph Calleja of Gulf Port, MS, Savannah Calleja of Port Charlotte, FL; great grandchildren, Anjali and Aurora Valle of Tampa, FL; Zoe, Leela and Clementine Lewis of Gypsum, CO, Ava Marie Vaughn of Greenville, SC and Conor Mercer of Port Charlotte, FL; sisters, Richie Sherman of Rochester, MI and Roberta (Ed) Acho of Southlyons, MI.

The family will receive friends from 4:00pm till 6:00pm, Friday November 1, 2019 at the Kays-Ponger & Uselton Funeral Home, 635 E Marion Avenue, Punta Gorda, FL 33950. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00am, Tuesday November 5, 2019 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 211 W Charlotte Ave, Punta Gorda, FL 33950. Burial with military honors will be held at the Greenwood Cemetery in Petoskey, Michigan later that week.

Contributions to the American Parkinson Disease Association (apdaparkinson.org) in lieu of flowers are appreciated.