Charles Rinaldi

Charles Rinaldi of Wakefield, died suddenly and peacefully on April 28th.

Charlie is the beloved husband for 64 years of Joanne (Nackley) Rinaldi. He is the devoted father of Robert Rinaldi and his wife Paula, Joanne Collins and her husband Donald and the late Charles Rinaldi, Jr. The cherished grandfather of Justin Rinaldi, Heather Lamm and her husband Brad, Christopher Rinaldi, William Rinaldi, Domenic Rinaldi, Chase Collins, Annabelle Collins and the late Brandon Rinaldi, Charles is the doting great grandfather of Arabella Rinaldi, Harper Rinaldi, Casen Lamm, and Presley Lamm. He is the dear brother of Peter Rinaldi and his wife Beatrice and the late Carmen Rinaldi, the late Joseph Rinaldi and the late Mary "Rocca" Byrne. Charles also leaves behind many nieces and nephews.

Charlie was a Corporal in the U.S. Army and served honorably as a Quartermaster during the Korean War. Following his years of service, he became owner and operator of Rinaldi Shoe Repair in Boston. His clients not only included the general public, he also provided services to famous celebrities, athletes, and local politicians. After selling his business in 1965, he became a member of the Teamsters Union Local 25. For the next 20 years he worked as a driver and warehouseman for liquor distributors Sheridan & Fitzgerald, Inc., in Waltham, and C. Pappas and Sons in Everett. Upon leaving the Teamsters, Charlie worked in his later years as an equipment operator for Pavements, Inc., in Middleton, and maintenance supervisor for Shaw's Supermarket in Stoneham.

Charlie most enjoyed Sunday dinners and holiday feasts with his family. There was never a shortage of food, or laughter, when he was involved. He enjoyed watching and attending all of the local Boston professional sports teams, and particularly admired those athletes with an Italian heritage. Was a lifelong pet owner having raised numerous dogs, hamsters, guinea pigs, and his parrot sidekick "Murph" who had a disdain for blond-haired individuals. Was an avid old war movie watcher, with is favorite being "The Bridge on the River Kwai."

Charlie was the epitome of a handyman and do-it-yourselfer. He was an excellent carpenter (both rough and finish), mason, plumber, roofer, and landscaper. He could create, build, or repair most anything (except electrical). When electrical was involved, a call to his brother Peter (a master electrician) was usually in order. He spent much of his spare time involved in large and small home improvement projects on his own home and those of his children.

He enjoyed "his" music of the 1950's, and listening to his large collection of vintage records including Jerry Vale, Dean Martin, and Frank Sinatra. He also enjoyed certain opera selections by Mario Lanza, Luciano Pavarotti, and Andrea Bocelli. Enjoyed playing cards with friends and family, and never thought twice about beating his children even and grandchildren. Most enjoyed beating his late father-in-law at cribbage.

Charlie was the master of creating nicknames that stuck and truly lasted a lifetime for most everyone he knew. Some of his notables include Bliss, Dede, Tut, Tra-la-la, Pagnassius, Professor, Spy, Pumpkin, Blimpy, The Mayor, Ensalada, Burpee, Apple, Toto, and Moose. He was thought by some to be the "inventor" of the "noogie", and mastered this ability (and his "ear-pinching" ability) on his children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. He also developed a more devastating version of the "noogie" he named the "baron-stab".

Later in life he could be found tinkering in his well-equipped workshop, sipping a cup of coffee (with a touch of his homemade sambuca), or smoking a cigar or his pipe in the backyard with one his dog's alongside.

A Funeral Service Celebrating Charles' Eternal Life will be held on Thursday, May 6th at 12:30pm in the Barile Family Funeral Home, 482 Main St. (RT 28) STONEHAM. Family and friends are cordially invited to gather and share memories with Charles' Family prior to the Service from 11am - 12pm in the Funeral Home. Parking attendants and elevator available.

In lieu of flowers of flowers, we encourage you to please make a donation in Charlie's name to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund
P.O. Box 849168 Boston, MA 02284-9168 or by referring to https://www.jimmyfund.org/ways-to-give/

For more information, www.facebook.com/BarileFamilyFuneralHome