EAST HERKIMER – Mr. Carmen Charles “Charlie” Lamanna, age 69, of 114 Delrose Lane, East Herkimer, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, December 4, 2009, with his loving family at his side. He was born on January 23, 1940 in Little Falls, NY, the youngest son of Leonard Lamanna who passed away on September 30, 1995 and Francesca (Nunno) Lamanna who passed away on July 7, 2008. He attended West Canada Valley Central Schools from 1945 – 1952 and then graduated from Little Falls Schools in the Class of 1958 and furthered his education by attending Albany Business College and SUNY Institute of Technology. On September 16, 1972, he married Giovanna P. Marchese with whom he shared a blessed union for more than 30 years, until her untimely passing on September 13, 2003. The two were faithful members of Holy Family Parish in Little Falls, where Charlie always looked forward to attending mass every Sunday and holiday. Charlie grew up on the Lamanna family farm in the town of Fairfield until they moved to a farm in the town of Manheim in 1952. As much as he enjoyed working with his father and brothers on the farm, he preferred cooking, baking and gardening alongside his mother. Charlie always looked forward to returning to the family farm on Lamanna Road until it was sold in 2004. Charlie entered the US Army in 1963 beginning his service at Fort Dix, New Jersey. He was subsequently stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and later joined the artillery battalion in Europe at Ansbach Germany before completing his service in the Army Reserves and receiving an honorable discharge in 1969. After college and his time in the Army, he worked for a short time at Comptone in Canajoharie. He then worked for Mohawk Data Sciences in East Herkimer for more than 20 years before the company moved their operations out of state. Rather than uprooting his family with a job transfer, he enjoyed a new occupation working alongside his in-laws at Vinny’s Pizzeria in Herkimer for over a decade, where you could always count on him to serve up a slice and a smile. Deciding that retiring from the pizza business was not going to slow him down, he found another passion working for the Enea Family Funeral Homes. Whether greeting arriving people, directing traffic or driving a car in a funeral procession – his compassion and concern for other people were always evident. Charlie also took special pride in the time he spent working for his nephew, Chuck Martin of Martin Construction. Of their many jobs together, none were more satisfying than the many projects they completed for Holy Family Parish. Charlie was most proud of the refurbished marble altar that had sat in storage for years and now gracefully adorns the front of the church along with the successful rebuilding of the stone walls located at the entrances of St. Mary’s Cemetery. Those who had the great fortune to know Charlie will always remember the cherished devotion he had to his family and friends. He never shied away from hard work and would always be the first to reach out with a helping hand. Charlie was best known for being a perfectionist in his work, his love of cars, and his affinity for animals and pets, including his two canine companions, Koko Beans and Hope, which brought him so much joy. He leaves behind a beloved son, Lonnie C. Lamanna of East Herkimer, two loving daughters, Francesca L. Ross and husband Scott of Harriman and Marisa G. Lamanna of East Herkimer, two wonderful brothers, Lawrence Lamanna of Herkimer and John Lamanna and wife Sandy of Dolgeville, a devoted sister, Cherie Bisson and husband Peter of Brewerton, NY, three brothers-in-law, Thomas Marchese and wife Ina of Little Falls, Vincent Marchese and wife Cathy of Little Falls, Anthony Marchese and wife Kathleen of Utica, two sisters-in-law, Maria Sciortino and husband John of Mohawk and Rita Marchese of Herkimer, numerous cherished nieces, nephews, cousins, great nieces and great nephews. Also surviving are his best friend and cousin, John Scarano of Little Falls, his confirmation godfather, Paul Restante Jr. and wife Marge of Little Falls, his baptismal godmother, Angie Taverni of Herkimer and the many cherished neighbors and friends whom Charlie and Giovanna always held dear to their hearts. He was predeceased by his loving wife, his parents, his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Salvatore and Croce (LaMilia) Marchese, a brother-in-law, Peter Marchese and his baptismal godfather, John Zambri. Calling hours at the Enea Family Funeral Home, 4309 Acme Road, between Frankfort and Ilion, will be held on Tuesday, December 8th from 2 – 4 and 6 – 9 pm. Charlie's funeral will commence at 11:30 am on Wednesday morning, December 9th from the funeral home where prayer will be offered and his Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1 pm by the Rev. Daniel Lanza at Holy Family Parish in Little Falls. Procession will follow to St. Mary's Cemetery, town of Herkimer where he will be laid to rest next to his wife. Full military honors will be accorded. In lieu of flowers, kindly consider contributions in honor of Mr. Lamanna to the Herkimer County Humane Society, since, like St. Francis of Assisi, Charlie was especially fond of all animals, to Farm Aid as a tribute to his wonderful childhood growing up in the country, or to the Giovanna Lamanna Memorial Scholarship Fund, as a means to continue the legacy his wife has left to the graduating students of Little Falls High School. Envelopes for charitable donations are available at the funeral home. The family would like to thank all the friends who have shown an outpouring of love and sympathy for Charlie, with special acknowledgement of the caring staff at Alpine Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Little Falls and the compassionate doctors and nurses in the Intensive Care Unit at The Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown where Charlie found peace and comfort in his final days.