Charlie Tinacci, retired engineer, community volunteer
Charlie “Charles” Tinacci, 73, passed away Friday, June 28, 2024, at his home in rural Lewes. Charlie had been fighting cancer for the last year, and he died of complications of the disease. He was surrounded by his family when he peacefully passed away.
Charlie was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., to Louis and Sadie (Testa) Tinacci June 26, 1951. He was the youngest of three sons. His oldest brother, Thomas, died of heart disease.
Charles was an electrical engineer who attended New York City public schools. He went to Brooklyn Technical High School. His electrical engineering degree at New York University Polytechnic School of Engineering was followed by a master’s degree in engineering management, also from New York University’s Polytechnic School in 1978.
He was a senior engineer who worked for New York Power Authority for 31 years in communication and power distribution. Following retirement in 2007, Charlie worked for Gemma Power Systems in Glastonbury, Conn., from 2007-10.
Charles was married to Lynn (Lynnette) in January 2000, and they made their home in Redding, Conn. In 2010, they both retired and moved to Lewes, where they bought their house in The Retreat at Love Creek. Lynn and Charlie loved to travel, and they shared adventures from favorite places in the United States to Europe, Africa, Asia and South America. Italy, the home of Charlie’s ancestors, was a favorite where they spent time in Tuscany, Pescara, Rome, and Sicily.
He was committed to volunteering, demonstrated by the years he spent as finance chair, board of directors member, and chair of the homeowners’ association for Retreat at Love Creek. He loved the time he gave to Village Volunteers in Lewes! He was a dedicated driver for Village members needing transportation for appointments, and he worked in the Village office as a volunteer dispatcher and all-around helper.
Charlie is survived by his wife, Lynn of Lewes; daughter, Corinne Williamsburg of New York City; stepson, Scott Olson and his wife Michelle of Rochester, Minn.; grandsons, Connor and Aaron; and stepdaughter, Meredith Bordas and her husband Armando of Brooklyn, N.Y. His one remaining brother, John, lives in Kingman, Ariz.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, July 12, at Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 16961 Kings Hwy., Lewes, where friends may begin visiting starting at 10 a.m. Family and friends are invited to an open house reception at the Tinacci home from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family is suggesting donations to the American Cancer Society.
Sincere thanks to the wonderful staff members at Beebe Healthcare, Delaware Hospice, and particularly Dr. Waseem, and the caring, competent, and compassionate nurses at Tunnell Cancer Center.
Sign Mr. Tinacci's Life Memorial webpage at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
