Mr. Charles "Chuck" C. Fire

Charles C. (Chuck) Fire, beloved husband, father, granddad, great-granddad and friend went home to Jesus peacefully while surrounded by his family at home on Thursday, December 15th, 2022, two days before his 92nd birthday. He was born at home in Struthers, Ohio, on December 17, 1930, the son of the late Dominic Pasquale (Patsy) and Angela Marie Natale Fire. After graduating from Struthers High School, Chuck enlisted in the U.S. Navy and proudly served his country for four years during the Korean War. On April 28, 1955, he met Helma Mauer at her 15-year-old sister’s funeral, as he knew her parents. He was interested in helping out the family with his easy going, supportive, and gentle soul. He comforted Helma by sitting next to her in the family church pew, then guided and held her up during the rain and through the mud that day. From then on, Chuck and Helma were inseparable, seeing each other daily. They were engaged by October and married May 25, 1957, at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Struthers. In 1959, Chuck was exemplified as a Fourth-Degree member of the Knights of Columbus and was faithful to the weekly meetings and to participation in their charitable works. Chuck earned his B.S. degree in Accounting from Youngstown State University (OH) in 1967, the first college graduate in his family. That took 12-years of part-time study while working full-time as a banker at the former People’s Bank in downtown Youngstown. He was then named Assistant Secretary and Branch Manager of the new Wedgewood Office of Peoples Bank in Austintown (OH). After moving to Miami in 1973, he was a Branch Manager of several banks. Chuck and Helma were choir members and Eucharistic Ministers at St. Richard Parish. In 1983, he became the Comptroller of E.T. Legg Co., an outdoor advertising firm, until his retirement. In 1990, while in Miami, the couple co-founded Florida Excell, Inc., a home-based business, a licensed continuing education provider for Clinical Lab Personnel nationwide. Chuck remained the Vice-President and Treasurer of the corporation until his death. Since retiring from their Miami jobs to Tallahassee in 1996, Chuck and Helma continued with their home business and also were active in a Small Christian Community of Good Shepherd Parish. In 2001, they became a presenting team of Worldwide Marriage Encounter for the diocese. Chuck also served on the Tallahassee men’s presenting team for Tres Dias, a non-denominational Christian retreat weekend. Chuck and Helma enjoyed motor homing since 1988, and most recently, they were cruising the seas to Alaska, Hawaii, Panama, the Bahamas, Mexico and 14 other Caribbean ports. His hobbies were working jigsaw puzzles, many of which adorn the walls of the family home. Chuck enjoyed watching the Pittsburgh Steelers and attending FSU football and baseball games. He also loved playing gin rummy and puttering in the yard. Chuck will be remembered for his commitment, support and unequivocal love for his family and friends. He enjoyed people and was always available to lend a helping hand, whether it was baby-sitting, installing drywall, painting, laying tile, moving complete households, working on cars, or any other handyman jobs. Chuck is survived by Helma, his loving wife of 65+ years; their son, Kenneth Charles Fire; and daughters, Kathy Fire and Karen Elaine Hollenbeck (John), of Tallahassee. He also leaves five grandchildren, Matt Baranovich (U.S. Navy), Kathryn, Kristyn, Katelyn and John David Hollenbeck; and three great-grandchildren, Ava, Aubrie and Aden. Other surviving relatives include seven nephews, John F. Magmore, Jr., Michael E. Magmore (Debbie), John P. Fire (Janet), Daniel J. Fire (Susan), Edward R. Fire (Gina), David Philip Dempsey, Sr. (Nancy Douglas) and Kevin Philip Dempsey (Michele); also four nieces, Donna Magmore, Patricia Fire, Cynthia Ann Dempsey (Mo) and Debi Dempsey Clayton (Tim). Numerous grandnephews, grandnieces and friends also survive. His sisters, Ann Marie Dempsey, and Margaret (Peggy) Magmore; brother, John J. Fire; niece, Mary Catherine (Cathy) Fire; nephew, Francis (Frankie) George Magmore; and grandnephew, David Philip Dempsey, Jr. have preceded him in death. A Memorial Mass and Celebration of Life is 12:00 PM, Saturday, January 14, 2023, at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Tallahassee. Chuck’s inurnment service with Military Honors will be at Tallahassee National Veterans Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorial donations to either Big Bend Hospice or the American Heart Association. Online condolences may be expressed at www.abbeyfh.com.

Mr. Charles "Chuck" C. Fire

December 17, 1930 - December 15, 2022