Obituary of Charles Rhodes

Click here to watch the tribute video Charles Chuck Richard Rhodes, Sr. entered into eternal rest on the morning of Saturday, November 10th, 2007 after a brief illness. Born in New Haven on March 21, 1939 he was the son of the late Charles Wellington Rhodes and Irene Martin Rhodes. He was a West Haven resident before moving to Ansonia in 1964. A graduate of West Haven High School Class of 1958, he served in the National Guard, West Haven Service Company, from 1956-1958. Shortly after, he entered the welding industry where his talents were highly respected by his fellow Union members from Local 478. He worked for several companies before his retirement from Tyler Equipment in 1993. He enjoyed the company of his family, friends but most of all sitting on his porch watching his grandchildren grow up. He was a former coach for Fountain Hose in the Ansonia Farm League Baseball program and was a founding member of the original Ansonia Little League Parents Association along with Eddie Maloney, Ray Mellott and Frank Sullivan. He was also a member of the St. Peter & Pt. Paul Benevolent Society (Liberty Hall) in Ansonia. He was an avid sports fan who enjoyed watching his New York Giants, New York Yankees and the UConn Huskies Womens Basketball but most of all, his grandchildrens sporting events. He was very proud of his Irish heritage and enjoyed listening to his Irish folk music. He leaves behind his 6 loving children; daughters Linda Mikita and her husband William, Lisa Rhodes-Penna, Diane Dee Dee Rhodes all of Ansonia, Donna Rzaza and her partner Sally of West Haven, Charles Dusty Rhodes and his wife Ilka and David Rhodes and his wife Lynn both of Ansonia. Ten grandchildren to whom he was affectionately known as Bompa. They are Billy, David and Michelle Mikita, Autumn Rain Huckabaloo Penna, Allissa Hazel Rhodes, Jacqueline Rzasa, Chelsea and Charles Rhodes III and Caitlyn and Michael Rhodes (his little pal who he liked to call McGillicuddy). He also leaves his only sister, Regina Shannon, of Hamden and a host of nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a son Francis Rhodes. Funeral services will take place from the Wakelee Memorial Funeral Home, 167 Wakelee Avenue, Ansonia, on Wednesday, November 14, 2007 at 8:15 AM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Holy Rosary Church, Father Salemi Dr., Ansonia, at 9:00 AM. Interment will be private. Family and friends may call on Tuesday, November 13, 2007 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to The American Lung Association, 45 Ash St., East Hartford, CT 06108.