Charles L. Passanese, Sr., 87, was surrounded by his family when he passed away peacefully on Thursday January 16, 2014 at Hospice Wells House at Beechwood in Getzville, NY. A lifelong resident of Niagara Falls and Lewiston, he was the son of the late Lawrence and Antonina (Ferrara) Passanese. For the past three years he resided at Forest Creek Senior Apartments on the Weinburg Campus in Getzville, NY.

Charlie attended local schools and was a graduate from Trott Vocational High School. He served in the United States Army as part of the military police, during World War II, until his honorable discharge in 1947. On November 5, 1949, he married Fulvia (Colucci) at St. Joseph Church in Niagara Falls, NY. They were married for 61 years. She predeceased him on February 25, 2011.

Charlie began his career as a carpenter, having worked for ten years in the family business, E. Colucci Construction Co. In 1957, he joined the Niagara Falls Police Department where he served as a detective and a police officer for 31 years. He retired in 1988. During his tenure he received several commendations for honor and bravery. In 2005, he was the recipient of the "Cittadini Speciali" (Special Citizen of the Year) awarded by the Pine Avenue Business Association.

Among his many interests were reading, wood carving, and carpentry, traveling with his wife and family, bird watching, playing bocce on a summer evening and working in his vegetable garden. Most of all, he cherished time spent with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. His infinite love for them was his greatest gift. He will always be remembered as a warm and caring man, with a great sense of humor and strong devotion to his family. He was an inspiration to all who knew him.

He is survived by his four children, Vinnie Passanese, Charles (Rebecca) Passanese Jr., Linda Ann (Edward) Garcia, Patricia (Todd) Phillips; nine grandchildren, Jessica, Natale, John and Myles Passanese, Sara (Louis) Moretta, David Garcia, Jacqueline, Jake, and Samantha Laures; six great-grandchildren, Giana and Dominic Moretta, Isabelle Zuccari, Charles M. Lange, Liliana and Abigail Fiel; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was also predeceased by a sister, Josephine (Anthony of Grand Island, NY) Mastrangelo and two brothers, Sebastian (late Josephine) (Joanne of Niagara Falls, NY) Passanese and Salvatore (late Antoinette) Passanese.

Visitation will be Monday from 2 – 4 & 7 – 9 PM at M. J. COLUCCI & SON NIAGARA FUNERAL CHAPEL, 2730 MILITARY RD. NIAGARA FALLS, NY. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday January 21st at 10:00 AM at Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph Parish at St. Joseph Church, 1413 Pine Avenue, Niagara Falls, NY. EVERYONE PLEASE ASSEMBLE AT CHURCH. Entombment with military honors in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Lewiston NY. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice Buffalo, 225 Como Park Blvd. Cheektowaga, NY 14227.