Charles J Di Panni

Charles (Chase) J. Di Panni passed away peacefully with his son at his side on June 26, 2023 at the age of 97. He was a longtime resident of New Canaan and Wilton, Connecticut. He was born in Cranston Rhode Island on March 7, 1926 to parents Anna and Joseph Di Panni. He graduated from New Canaan High School in 1943 and soon after enlisted in the Navy. He served as a Seaman 1st Class on the USS Ottawa (AKA 101). He was discharged in 1946. In 1947, he married his high school sweetheart, Lena Libertore and began a family. After graduating from Merrill Business School, he went to work for The New Canaan Fuel and Lumber Co. This turned out to be his dream job, working there for almost 50 years until retirement. He was VP and Treasurer. He felt very fortunate because he loved his job and the people who worked with him. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus most of his adult life. He was a one-time president and active member of the Rotary Club (New Canaan and later Port Saint Lucie). In 2013, he received his 50-year pin and was proud to say that he never missed a weekly meeting in 50 years. Other than his family, he enjoyed playing golf with his brother, Tony, and son, Joe. Golf was his passion. He loved to tell golf stories and could remember details of golf rounds played many years earlier. He spent his retirement in Florida, where he continued to enjoy playing golf. He is survived by his son Joseph and wife Margaret, his granddaughter Megan, and his three great-grandchildren, his brother Tony and wife Joanne, his sister Sarah and her husband Alfred. He is also survived by his former spouse Roberta Prisco, her son Steven, her daughter Victoria and her husband Steve, and her grandson Alexander and wife Loriana and two great-grandchildren. Chase was a great son, father, husband, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend with a big heart and he will be missed. A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, August 2nd at 1 o'clock at the Lakeview Cemetery in New Canaan. He will be buried alongside his wife, Lena, and daughter, Toni Di Panni.