Charles (Charley) Bernard DeMatteis, 89, of Galena, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 25, at home after a long, happy life despite a cancer diagnosis he contended with for about twenty years.

Charley was born in 1934 at home on Warren St. in Italian Village–the only son of Carolyn and Bernard DeMatteis, who preceded him in death, as well as an older sister, Nancy, two daughters, Lori Rader and Carrie Meyer, a grandson, Chris Thomas. Mother-in-law Mary Jane Eddy, Father-in-law Henry Shuter, Sister-in-law Nancy Gordon.

Charley went to Sacred Heart Elementary, and he was a 1952 graduate of Linden McKinley High School, where he was an award-winning quarterback on the football team number 00. His plan to move to California was derailed when he met the love of his life, Donna Shuter. He stayed in Columbus, Ohio, working with his father, Bernie, in construction and waited for Donna to finish high school. They married shortly after, on June 18, 1955, and had seven beautiful daughters that he adored.

Professionally, Charley was a builder who spent every penny of his customers’ money as if it were his own. He loved a bargain and considered it a sin for anyone to pay too much for something. He was also in the Marine Reserves as an airplane mechanic.

Charley was a man of many interests. He loved to play cards, especially at the AMVETS, and he could remember every card played; he expected no less from his partners. He also played on a softball team and coached a boys league. He was in a bowling league for many years. He was an avid golfer and strived to golf his age in his later years.

By far, his favorite hobby was fishing at his cabin in Canada in Northwest Ontario. He knew just where and how to outfish everyone else. He was the best story and joke teller. In his later years, he took up Italian cooking and loved recreating his mother’s recipes and trying new dishes as well. Charley enjoyed dinners at the Abruzzi Club. He loved to cut grass, which never grew quite fast enough for him.

Charley is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Donna Louise (Shuter), his five surviving daughters, Nancy (Sam) Argoe, Desi (Dave) Bellamy, Michele Thomas, Anita (Doug) Miller, his caregiver and most likely favorite daughter, Amy (Brian) Joyce. Grandchildren Angie (Antonio), B.J. (Angie), Michel (Jess), Joey, Juli, Arin (Shannon), Anthony (Ashley), Tyler, Alisha (Armando), Charlie (Hannah), Natalie (Joe), Taylor, Andrew, Caroline, and Elizabeth, and his beloved dachshund, Sadie Jane (who we all suspect was actually his true favorite daughter) as well as special cousins Nancy Lou and John Hutchings, Butch and Patti DeMatteis, sisters-in-law, Cathy (Butch) Tierney, Mary Beth Ellars, and Linda (Danny) Lenihan and many great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday September 3, 2023 12pm-3pm at the Genoa Township Hall 5111 S Old 3C Rd. Westerville, Ohio 43082.

A Mass of Christian burial will be Monday, September 4, 2023 at 10:00 am at St. Joan of Arc 10700 Liberty Rd. Powell, OH 43065

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to Capital City Hospice, 2800 Corporate Exchange Dr. #170, Columbus, OH 43231. Their amazing nurses kept him comfortable at home for over 14 months.

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