Charles J. (Charlie) Spitale, 75 years old, of Exeter (formerly of Forty Fort) died on 12/8/13. He was at home, with his wife by his side, at the time of his peaceful passing. He was raised in West Wyoming.  He was the son of the late Samuel Spitale and Anna Cipolla Spitale.  

He was a graduate of the West Wyoming School System in 1956.  As a youngster, he worked at a local pharmacy until his second year of college.  He attended Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science.  He was a member of the PA Army National Guard 1959-1966.  

In 1960, he began his 40 year career with the then, Wyoming Valley Motor Club (AAA).  He started as a Travel Counselor, became Auto Travel Manager and, following a merger with the Columbia/Montour Motor Club, he became Branch Manager of the Bloomsburg office in 1965.  In the fall of 1966, he returned to the main office of the, then, AAA Valley Automobile Club in Kingston as the Assistant Manager.  In 1983, he was promoted to the Executive Vice-President/CEO of AAA Valley Automobile Club.  During his tenure, he served in numerous capacities in the PA AAA Federation (organization of AAA clubs in PA).  He served a 2 year term as Secretary/Treasurer of the organization.  

Active in the community, he was a member of the Wilkes-Barre Kiwanis.  He served on the board of directors as President, Secretary, and numerous other committees beginning in 1966.  He was the recipient of the Hixson Award, one of the highest honors of the Kiwanis International.  He was Chairman of the Board and member of the LCTPA (Luzerne County Tourist Promotion Agency).  In 1997, he completed a merger with AAA Mid-Atlantic and was a Corporate Vice-President with that organization until his retirement in 2000.  Additionally, he served on the Northeast Regional Board of AAA Mid-Atlantic after his retirement.

He was married to Judith Nancy Geer Spitale, RN MSN for 50 years prior to his death.  Judy and Charlie were united in marriage at St. James Episcopal Church, Pittston which began a meaningful spiritual journey for the couple.  Following a merger with Calvary Church, Wilkes-Barre, the combined congregations of St. James and Calvary Church united to become Holy Cross Episcopal Church, Wilkes-Barre.  He served both parishes on the Vestry and 2 years as Treasurer of Holy Cross.  He also served on the local District Council and the Diocesan Council of the Diocese of Bethlehem.

He was extremely proud of his family and was often heard as referring to them as “FAMILIA!”  in the native language of his father.  He is survived by daughters: Sharon and her husband, Eric Corner of Buffalo, NY; Susan and her husband, Marc Stella of West Wyoming, PA; and Sara McNelis of Forty Fort, PA.  Words fall short of describing the deep love that he felt for his six grandchildren: Timothy and Rebecca Corner; Julianna, Eden, and Calista Stella; and Nicole McNelis.  He is also survived by two very special people in his family’s life: Mary Ellen (Boback) and James Nawrocki of Swoyersville, PA.

Relatives and friends are invited to visitaton on Wednesday December 11, 2013 from 5:00until 8:00pm at the  Gubbiotti Funeral Home, 1030 Wyoming Ave. Exeter, PA.  

Funeral services will be on Thursday at 10:30am from the funeral home with a Mass of Christian burial at 11:00am at the  Grace Episcopal Church , 30 Butler St.., Kingston, PA with the Rev. John F. Hartman presiding.  

Charlie asked that, upon his passing, the nurses at FMC dialysis unit in Pittston be recognized and thanked for the competent and compassionate care they provided to him over the last 4 years.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wilkes-Barre Kiwanis Foundation, PO Box 2865, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701 or to the Judith Geer Spitale Fund of the Luzerne Foundation, 140 Main St., 2nd Floor, Luzerne, PA, 18709.
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