Friday, April 10, 2020
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I first met Chuck when I was 15 and I wrote the first testimonial of my life for the Antioch youth group of Blessed Sacrament parish. He was my mentor for that talk. Little did I know he would be my life's mentor. About a year later in his living room I asked him "How do you know God exists?", life's tough question. He answered the best he could, but ultimately his faith was his answer. And boy did Chuck live his faith.
Chuck was kind, gentle, generous, and faithful. When I was laid off in 2002 and returned from a trip I asked to myself "What would Chuck do?" and decided to begin attending daily mass, just like Chuck did every day. That changed my life.
Even before that when I was deciding on what college to attend, I had decided to go to a local school because I was afraid of going far away. Chuck gently nudged me and asked me questions. Eventually his 'you know many people don't get the opportunity you have' got me to switch at the last minute from the local school to Notre Dame. Thank you Chuck.
We went made a trip together to Belgium and Lourdes, Frances. In Belgium he got say his final goodbye at the military cemetery to his buddy who was killed in battle alongside him during WWII. We shared the experience of going the healing baths of Lourdes and subsequent confessions.
We broke bread many, many times in and around Paterson, NJ over the 33 years I knew him. He was a good tipper. He was always courteous and treated everyone with respect and always with a smile. One time in NYC a lady rushed in front of the both of us to get on an elevator. My reaction internally wasn't very christian, Chuck responded authentically with "After you". That is just how he was.
I've always said: I wouldn't have the faith I have, I wouldn't be married, I wouldn't have 5 kids, I wouldn't be prospering -- if it weren't for Chuck.
I have no regrets. He knew I loved him and I told him what he meant to me many times. No one has more positively influenced me in my life. He was a father to me, and I hope I was a good son to him. My sister said 'you were both lucky to have each other'. I know that to be true for me.
Chuck is my hero. Thank you Chuck.
Love, Frank Carrizo
