Charles Bernard Barcelona – Pittsburgh and Boca Raton, Fla.,
On May 15, 2020, heaven REJOICED as Charles Bernard Barcelona, of Pittsburgh and
Boca Raton, Fla., a one of a kind patriarch, commander in chief and ‘the Nono’, passed away two
months after celebrating his 90th birthday (March 5, 1930) with his college sweetheart from Toledo University and wife, Nancy Naumann Barcelona; and three children Bindy (Dave Matesic), Brett (Teresa Torrell) and Beth (Joe Lipovich) and his entire ever growing family of 18 grandkids, two great-grandkids and three more on the way. Charleroi was Chuck’s treasured home for over 45 years. He was predeceased by Marge and Joe Barcelona of Dunlevy and beyond his immediate family, is survived by his two brothers, Joe and Len Barcelona, both of Dunlevy and their beautiful families. To so many, Chuck was known for incredible accomplishments and recognized for service to others, receiving achievements and awards in sports, business and life. He was family first. Chuck was an avid sports’ enthusiast and captain on the football field, an army lieutenant, a philanthropist and a pioneer in the grocery business spanning from Pittsburgh at Foodland/Fox Grocery Co. to Buffalo N.Y. as president and CEO of Peter J. Schmitt /Bells Markets. He led campaigns helping others through Catholic Charities, The United Way, Boys Town of Italy (where he was awarded Man of the Year), Children’s Hospital, March of Dimes and initiated a kids’ foundation through a home town professional athlete. He was awarded the NCAA’s Top Ten Award, one of only five businessmen in the United States selected as a Silver Anniversary honoree. One of the highlights of his life with Nancy was meeting privately with Pope John Paul II, later canonized in 2014 and was truly touched by a saint. In the spirit of our Dad’s life, if you would like to pay a little kindness forward to someone along the way…maybe a little advice to a younger person, tip the drive through worker, or treat a good friend to lunch, or any similar gesture. ..and then think of our dad and say a prayer in his great memory, we would be very honored. A Roman Catholic Funeral service was held at St. Jude’s Catholic Church, Boca Raton, Fla.
