Charles Henry Porretto

Charles (Charlie) Henry Porretto, age 92, passed away at Tallahassee Memorial’s Center for Compassionate Care on July 30, 2025, surrounded in person and spirit by family and friends. He was the devoted husband of Anna Carol Mudd Porretto for 66 years. Charlie was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on August 23, 1932, the son of the late Cyril Carmello Porretto and Mildred Mary (McDonald) Porretto. Charlie grew up in New Orleans and was the big brother to his three siblings, Cyril, Mitch and Jan. Charlie is survived by his brother Mitchell Porretto of New Orleans, his sister Janice Junca-Moore of Las Vegas, five of his six children; Anna Taylor and husband Steve of Michigan, Paul Porretto, Gia Jelinek and husband Jerry, Chuck Porretto and wife Carol of Tallahassee and Maria Retamal of Delray Beach, his 10 grandchildren; Danielle, Charlie, Dustin, Jordan, Tavo, Ryan (Katherine), Nick (Julia), Ryan, Julia, and Christian, his three great-grandchildren; Colby, Nixon, Gwen, and numerous generations of loving cousins, in-laws, nieces and nephews, extended family and dear friends from all corners of the country. He was preceded in death by his adoring wife Anna Carol (Mudd) Porretto, his son, Dean McDonald Joseph Porretto, and his brother Cyril Porretto. Charlie attended Metairie Grade School, and New Orlean’s St. Aloysius High School. Upon graduation, Charlie enlisted in the United States Navy and served honorably from 1951 to 1955. After basic training in San Diego, he joined the Seabees in Port Hueneme, California and then reported to his home base of Davisville, Rhode Island. Charlie boarded his first ship at the Brooklyn Navy Yard and embarked on some of the greatest adventures of his life to such far flung places as Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; Casablanca and Port Lyautey French Morrocco; Madrid, Spain; London, England; and Argentia Newfoundland, where he finally saw his first snowfall. Upon returning to New Orleans, Charlie’s life was changed forever when he met Carol, a dark-haired beauty, at the famous Court of the Two Sisters Restaurant in the French Quarter. They were married five months later at St. Louis Cathedral on historic Jackson Square. After starting their family in New Orleans, Charlie and Carol moved to a small farm in Bogalusa, Louisiana, where they raised horses, cows, pigs, chickens, pigeons, dogs, and kids. The couple later relocated their family to Tallahassee Florida, where they remained the rest of their lives. Charlie’s children were blessed to have a dad who enriched their lives through countless adventures such as camping, fishing, boating, hunting, parasailing, scalloping, crabbing, and many fun vacations, which sometimes included grandma and a dog. Charlie had a rewarding work life. He spent many years in the radio business, starting as DJ and working his way up to General Manager. He hosted several popular radio talk shows at WMEN in Tallahassee including “Call and Comment” where he was a natural at engaging with the callers and became somewhat of a local celebrity. He opened a music store in the mall, Melody Lane where he enjoyed playing the piano for passersby. His most exciting career chapter was when he served as liaison between the Florida Film Commission and the motion picture and television industry. He promoted Florida as a filming destination by traveling across the US and abroad. He was fortunate to work with many famous actors, directors, and producers, such as Burt Reynolds, Jimmy Buffett, Roland Martin, Linda Gray, Peter Falk and many more. After retiring from the State of Florida, Charlie was not quite finished working. He purchased a coastal themed art gallery/frame shop in Navarre Beach Florida. He managed this business for five years as he waited for his wife to retire. Carol, family and friends would visit on the weekends at his second home on Santa Rosa Island. Charlie was an active member of his community and was always a willing volunteer. He was instrumental in the growth of the Chamber of Commerce, and was a member of the Jaycees, the Lion’s Club and the Italian American Club. He spearheaded countless fundraising activities and events through these organizations. He was known to donate his time by taking disabled children and adults on fishing trips. He even taught a few blind folks how to wet a line. Charlie and Carol also donated their time delivering food for Meals on Wheels to many local residents in need. Charlie’s hobbies, interests, pursuits and endeavors were extensive and varied. He was a pioneer in scuba diving and was successful in spearfishing tournaments. His newspaper column, Scuba Scoops was about diving and fishing off the oil rigs in Louisiana. A highlight of his scuba diving years was meeting and having dinner with oceanographer Jacques Cousteau. Charlie competed in barrel racing and other equestrian events in local rodeos and horse shows. He was an avid hunter and outdoorsman who raised and trained his own hunting dogs. He even trained German Shepard police dogs for a few years. He was an amateur radio operator earning the highest class of license. He was proud of his accomplishment of communicating via “ham radio” with all 50 states and almost every country. He earned his airplane pilot’s license and flew his own four-seater Cessna. He earned his master boat captain’s license and enjoyed sailing around Florida and The Bahamas. Charlie, with a couple of his friends, produced and hosted a sailing themed travel series about historic ports of call for public television. He studied and became a certified fishing and nature “Green Guide,” and was a volunteer Wakulla Springs glass bottom boat captain. He was a magician who loved to perform at charity and holiday events. He was an amateur comedian who always had a joke or three up his sleeve. He was a musician who played several instruments including ukelele, banjo and harmonica. He was a woodworker, a furniture maker, an artist, and a craftsman. Charlie and Carol were enthusiastic travelers. Together they crisscrossed North America several times in their motor home with a bright red Jeep in tow. They loved the landscapes and cultures of all their many destinations, with Nova Scotia being their favorite. Charlie was often heard saying Nova Scotians are the friendliest people in the world. Possibly because one of them gave him several authentic Cuban cigars. Charlie and Carol were hosts extraordinaire, serving up the best Italian, Cajun, Creole and gulf seafood dishes to family and friends. Much love and laughter was always on the menu at their family home on Shamrock North. Especially at the big, loud, Italian Sunday dinners. After losing Carol to leukemia, Charlie spent his remaining years at Red Hills Retirement Resort where he once again became the life of the party. He made many new friends and participated in all the fun happenings such as happy hours, costume parties, talent shows, watching football on the big screen in the theatre, and taking limo rides downtown for friends’ birthday dinners. Charlie could often be seen riding his electric trike through the neighborhood wearing his signature beret, with his little dog Jolie in the basket, and enjoying a cigar while listening to smooth jazz on the speaker. Charlie was truly loved by the residents and staff, especially his very special friend and confidant Hope Munyon. Hope made his final years happy and fulfilling. As Charlie always said, “A glass of rum A good cigar Every day is Saturday” A private family ceremony will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Big Bend Hospice in Tallahassee. Susie Mozolic of Bevis Funeral Home is assisting the family with their arrangements. (www.bevisfh.com or 850-385-2193)

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Charles Henry Porretto

August 23, 1932 - July 30, 2025