Page created by: Katy Barron

Charles Arthur Saldarini died peacefully on December 15th, 2019. Known to all as Chuck, he lived with Parkinson’s disease for more than twenty years as a result of exposure to Agent Orange during his tour of duty in Vietnam. At the end, he hung on long enough to watch Navy crush Army 31-7 in the 120th meeting of the rival football teams. He passed peacefully with his devoted wife of 52 years, children and extended family by his side.

Chuck was born in Troy, New York, in 1943, the son of Oswald and Angela Saldarini. He grew up in Patterson and Glen Rock, New Jersey. He was a stand-out athlete at Glen Rock High School, lettering in baseball, basketball and football. He earned a spot in the United States Naval Academy class of 1965 where he played football and graciously stepped aside to allow Roger Staubach the quarterback position.

Chuck was more than just an athlete. He earned the nickname “Hooch” because he always supplied the makings of a great party. In 1965 he met Patricia “Patti” Lynn Eldridge during June week. Patti was there with a different date, but was smitten by the fun guy who had to leave by 10 because he was on restriction. Even on graduation day he was marching off his demerits.

Chuck joined the United States Marine Corps and served as a Captain in the An Hua province of Vietnam. “Semper Fi” entered the family lexicon. Upon his return he married Patti, a woman he firmly believed to be “too good for me.” After graduate school at Michigan and a brief stint working in New York City, they ultimately made the South their home, moving to Greensboro in 1976 to join the nascent banking industry.

Chuck’s hard work and engaging personality quickly led him into leadership positions at First Union. He worked in banking for twenty-six years in Greensboro, Charlotte and Roanoke, Virginia, until his good friend Bill Boyd offered him a new career opportunity. The man who didn’t believe in wasting money on music ultimately became the President of Muzak in Seattle. It wasn’t an automatic culture fit, but Chuck charmed the “audio architects” of Muzak despite bungling the names of bands like the “Smashing Oranges” and the “Really Hot Chili Peppers.”

He and Patti retired to the mountains of Roanoke where, among many tales, Chuck was known to patrol the hill on Strawberry Mountain saving cars stranded in the snow. They developed many lifelong friends in retirement there, and he enjoyed hiking, woodworking and golfing (he once shot an 84).

Chuck lived a life of integrity, honor and responsibility. Family was always his number one priority. His older brother Ron was his best friend, and their hiking trip to the Grand Tetons was one of many adventures together that produced legendary stories. In addition to his wife, he fiercely loved and supported his three children, Ross, Lynn and Katy and was a beloved “Pop Pop” to his six grandchildren: Katlyn, Denilson, Lula, Daisy, Ruby and Dot. He was also a beloved “Uncle Guck” to his niece and five nephews.

He eschewed putting on airs and constantly reminded his children not to “let your ego get out in front of your headlights.” It was one of a long list of phrases and expressions he was known for, perhaps none more famous than the line he delivered without fail whenever anyone asked him how he was doing:

“Every day is a holiday. Every meal is a feast.”