Charles Anderson Tomassene Jr.

Charles “Charlie” Anderson Tomassene, beloved husband, proud father,
respected friend and mentor, passed away peacefully at home, on March 18,
2020, at age 97.
He was born on December 19, 1922, to Charles and Marie Tomassene in Portland,
Oregon and was one of three children. His brother John and sister Mary preceded
him in death.
Charlie attended Beaumont Grade School and Grant High in Portland. He began
taking Collage classes at the University of Portland shortly before the bombing of
Pearl Harbor. In December of 1942 he enlisted in the 5 th Army Air Corps as a
Radar Operator and rose to the Rank of Staff Sargent. He served in the South
Pacific for three years, stationed in New Guinea, Bismarck Archipelago and Luzon.
While serving, he was awarded three Bonze stars. Charlie was honorably
discharged and returned home to Portland on Christmas Eve, 1945.
After the war, He returned to school at Lewis and Clark College. It was there, in
1946, that he met the love of his life, beautiful Barbara Schulz. They married on
May 8, 1949 and welcomed their first child, Paul, in 1952. Daughter’s Elise in
1953, Donna in 1955, and, finally Charles III in 1956.
Charlie enjoyed a successful career in the insurance business. He worked with his
father, and then his eldest son, at CA Tomassene & Son Insurance, in Downtown
Portland. He was a respected insurance agent who took great pride in doing what
was right for his clients. He retired in 2003.
Charlie loved his wife and listening to her beautiful soprano voice, his children
and their children with his whole heart. He accepted his children’s friends in to his
family, always willing to give needed advice, constructive criticism and positive
feedback when he felt it appropriate.
Charlie loved the outdoors, water and snow skiing, all animals and corn on the
cob! He always dressed to the nines and was just SIMPLY AMAZING.
He is survived by his children Paul (Kate), Elise, Donna (Gary) and Charlie (Pam),
grandchildren Drake, Andrew, Charles IV, Ryan, Blake, Jamie and Chase.

A celebration of life will have to come later. Our family will be in touch with
details.