Charlie Speranza

Charlie Speranza, 86, of Morganton, NC passed away Thursday, November 28, 2013 after a period of declining health. Born in Middlesex, NJ on July 18, 1927, he was the son of the late Croce Speranza and Catina Spicuzza Speranza.Mr. Speranza was a faithful member of Mt. Home Baptist Church where he had served as an usher and was very benevolent to the church’s building fund. Charlie was loving and generous to his family and friends. He was a dedicated public servant, a talented musician, and he loved history.Charlie was a U.S. Navy veteran of both WWII and Korea. He was a first generation Italian who had a strong work ethic. Charlie had retired from the New Jersey State Police. Following his retirement, he moved to North Carolina in 1977 and worked as a Burke County Deputy Sheriff. He later became a magistrate until his retirement in December 2012. As a N.J. State Police officer he met many celebrities and public officials and as a magistrate he married numerous couples and would play at many of the weddings. He was a member of American Legion Post # 0021.Charlie is survived by his brother, Sam Speranza of New Jersey; sister, Angie Speranza of New Jersey; nephews, George, Randy, Kenneth, and Wayne Speranza and Gary, Steve, and Tommy Rockett; nieces, Mary Ann Sankner, Gloria Muzio-Sannoh, Jean Stephens, and Joyce Olinger; and many great and great-great nephews and nieces.In addition to his parents, Charlie was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 58 years, Minnie Fay Rockett Speranza; two brothers, Angelo Speranza and George Speranza; and a sister, Mary Muzio.The funeral will be held at 3:00 p.m., Monday, December 2, 2013 at Mt. Home Baptist Church with the Rev. Jerry Gamble officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with military honors provided by the N.C. National Guard and the Caldwell County Veterans Honor Guard. The family will receive friends Sunday from 3:00 until 5:00 p.m. at Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center where the body will remain until placed in the church thirty minutes prior to the service.Memorial contributions may be made to Mt. Home Baptist Church, Graceful Giving Fund, 2272 Mt. Home Church Road, Morganton, NC 28655.