Charles Angelo (Chuck) Portaro

Charles “Chuck” Angelo Portaro, age 71, died suddenly and unexpectedly at his beloved home on May 10, 2023 in Wallburg, NC.  Born July 6, 1951, to Sam Anthony and Frances Louise (Spainhour) Portaro in Washington DC, he is survived by his daughter Anna Alexandra Portaro (Christopher Sartin, significant other) and son Chase Anthony Portaro; his brothers Sam, Jr. (Christopher Dionesotes), Daniel (Cathy), and sisters Angela Meredith (Greg), and Karen Bowman (Gary); eight nieces and nephews; 13 great-nieces and nephews; and granddogs, Mollie, Lunna, & Mika.

A 1969 graduate of Ledford High School, Chuck was voted “Most Dependable” by his classmates and evidenced his determination by earning his BA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill only two years later in 1971.  Upon graduation, he began his career in Human Resources with Cone Mills, then moving on to Fairchild-Burns, an aero-seat manufacturer, and then Dunning Industries where he learned his lifelong skill of lamp making.  In 1980, he was named VP of Sales & Merchandising for Stanton-Cooper/Woodmark, and in 1995 became Regional Sales Manager for Pearson Company, both of which were upholstery companies in High Point, NC.  In 1997 he joined Furnitureland South as Director of Vendor Relations, a position he held until his retirement in 2016.

A lifelong member of Shady Grove UMC in Winston Salem, NC, Chuck served on the Administrative Board and taught Sunday School.  In 2016, he became an Affiliate Member of Banner Elk Presbyterian Church in Banner Elk, NC.  He served on the boards of High Point Country Club, High Point Community Foundation, as well as the Advisory Boards of the High Point Salvation Army and the High Point Housing Authority.

An affable extrovert, anyone who met Chuck was always greeted with a friendly smile, extended hand, and a ready joke.  “Of the countless lessons both parents taught me,” he wrote, “there was none greater than ‘live by the Golden Rule and always do your very best.’”

A celebration of Chuck’s life will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at Shady Grove Methodist Church, 167 Shady Grove Church Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27107 with Rev. Dr. Sam Anthony Portaro and the Rev. Dr. Whit Malone officiating. Interment will follow the service in the church cemetery.  His body will lie in repose beginning at 1:00 p.m. in the church sanctuary. The family will receive friends immediately following the interment in the church Worship Center.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial that was so dear to Chuck’s heart:  The Salvation Army of High Point, 301 West Green Drive, High Point, NC  27262 or by clicking on the donation link below. 

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