08/20/2024
Chuck (Charles) William Galeazzi, passed away, on August 20, 2024, at home surrounded by his family. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him, including his family: wife, Elaine Galeazzi; children: Tim (Staci) Galeazzi, Tony (LeAnn) Galeazzi, Troy (Amanda) Galeazzi, Ty Galeazzi, Chaz Galeazzi, and Jay (Elizabeth) Galeazzi; grandchildren: Sara, Ben, Brooke, Luke, Karissa, Faith, Lauren, Tiffany, Taylor, Evan, William, Samuel, Nolan, Charles, Dexter, Harlan, and Henry; siblings: Marilyn (Mike) Ridnouer, Mary Crandall, Joe (Annette) Galeazzi, Michelle (Terry) Kirkendoll, and Jeff Galeazzi; along with many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
Preceding him in death were his parents: Bill and Mae Galeazzi; and infant son Todd.
He will be greatly missed by all who knew him, including his family: wife, Elaine Galeazzi; children: Tim (Staci) Galeazzi, Tony (LeAnn) Galeazzi, Troy (Amanda) Galeazzi, Ty Galeazzi, Chaz Galeazzi, and Jay (Elizabeth) Galeazzi; grandchildren: Sara, Ben, Brooke, Luke, Karissa, Faith, Lauren, Tiffany, Taylor, Evan, William, Samuel, Nolan, Charles, Dexter, Harlan, and Henry; siblings: Marilyn (Mike) Ridnouer, Mary Crandall, Joe (Annette) Galeazzi, Michelle (Terry) Kirkendoll, and Jeff Galeazzi; along with many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
A Mass of Christian burial for Charles “Chuck” Galeazzi, 79, of Knoxville, will be held Saturday,
August 24, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at the St. Anthony Catholic Church in Knoxville. Interment will follow at the Graceland Cemetery.
A rosary will be held Friday, August 23rd, at the St. Anthony Catholic Church at 3:30 p.m., followed by visitation from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m.,
with a time to share Chuck’s stories at 6:00 p.m.
Watch the time of sharing here… https://www.youtube.com/live/dEqC4CPHHyw?si=m5Wotr7UdBDuS8T4
Memorials may be made in the care of Elaine Galeazzi, the family will divide the memorials between Chuck’s many ministries and passions.
Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Knoxville assisted Chuck’s family with the funeral arrangements.
Charles William Galeazzi was born May 24, 1945, in Pleasantville, Iowa to Charles William “Bill” Galeazzi Sr. and Mae Margaret Pearson Galeazzi.
He was raised in Melcher and then began attending the Catholic School in Knoxville and graduated from Knoxville High School in 1963.
He attended Indian Hills in Centerville after graduating.
Chuck was married to Kathleen Quivey in 1965, this union was blessed with four sons: Tim, Todd, Tony, and Troy.
He later married Elaine Sandmeier, the love of his life, on July 16, 1983. They were blessed with three boys: Ty, Chaz, and Jay.
At the age of 32, Chuck retired from Firestone due to a serious back injury he sustained while working as a tire builder. Many events in Chuck’s life shaped who he was.
He grew up poor but didn’t know any different, for his parents always provided what was needed. Family reunions were always looked forward to because he could have an orange pop.
After almost losing his youngest son, he prayed to God and asked Him to save his child, and he would serve God for the rest of his life.
These and other events led Chuck to find ways to help others.
Chuck’s pain and suffering gave him the strength to change his own life as well as to help others. He and his friend, David Costello, started “Hope Builders” a ministry for the poor in Des Moines. Pretty much every shirt he owned had his mantra of HOPE – “Help Other People Every Day,” Then for decades, he opened doors of “Helping Hands Food Pantry” to the poor and vulnerable people in Knoxville and other communities. He answered phone calls at all hours, mopped floors, begged for holiday turkeys, hauled donations from far and wide in his old truck, and offered hugs to folks in their toughest times.”
Chuck always did whatever it took. He could be extremely passionate at times to help people in need, but he always shared that he served out of his deep love for the Lord Jesus Christ. Today, the Lord will surely welcome Chuck with the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant!
There are countless ministries, some officially organized and many not, that Chuck contributed to and volunteered to help other people. Coaching the Indians peewee baseball team for over 25 years, Chuck had a great time with his boys and made sure there was no shortage of fun-size Snickers and bubblegum. He organized and spearheaded various community projects, including the construction of Auld Park, the Skate Park, and more. He enjoyed the conversation! Chuck was a talker and enjoyed visiting with friends of different political beliefs and having a nice-spirited argument.
Chuck also made sure to spend quality time with his family. He started going to Canada fishing in 1979 (he went 4x’s that year), the trip became a spiritual five-week annual retreat for Chuck to recharge and spend time with family, siblings, children, their friends, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. So many cherished memories such as holding the fish correctly for a great picture, seeing every Canadian sunset, naming new fishing holes after those that caught a big Walleye, and eating fish every night.
Chuck was cut from a different fabric, and what a blessing that has been for all who have known him!