Charles F. "Chuck" Amato

WELLSVILLE – Charles F. "Chuck" Amato, 80, of Wellsville, passed away Sunday, December 18, 2016, at St. Elizabeth Health Center in Boardman.

He was born May 31, 1936, in Wellsville, the son of the late Fred and Betty (Prezzia) Amato. In addition to his parents, Chuck was preceded in death by his grandson, Michael Kapp, his brother, Nicky Amato, and his son-in-law, Joe Scarabino.

Survivors include his wife of fifty-five years, Irma (Johnson) Amato, whom he married September 23, 1961; two daughters: Cindy Scarabino and Gina Amato, both of Wellsville; two sons: Attorney Nicholas Amato and his wife, Anne, of East Liverpool and Judge Chris Amato and his wife, Courtney, of Wellsville; and one sister: Dolly Brophey and her husband, Tom, of Wellsville. Also surviving are seven grandchildren: Nicholas and Noelle Amato, Christian Kapp, Angelica Scarabino, Maia and Alana Amato, and Gia Elkobi Amato.

Chuck graduated from Wellsville High School in 1953. Shortly after graduation, he enlisted as a military police officer in the United States Army and served in Korea. After returning from the Army, he joined the Pete Amato Real Estate Agency and worked alongside his Uncle Pete for over forty years. Chuck joined the Wellsville Police Department in 1958 where he served as a police officer, juvenile officer, and eventually as Captain until his retirement. He loved and took pride in all of his brother police officers and all of the work they accomplished. In 1960, Chuck was decorated with valor with a Letter of Accommodation from the FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover for his capture of Gordon "Spunky" Firman, a man on the FBI's most wanted list. The manhunt involved over 600 police officers in Sherrodsville, OH. For this, Chuck was featured on the front cover in an edition of Detective and the Chicago Tribune. In 1997, Chuck was also one of the first officers inducted into the Police Officer Wall of Fame which is displayed in the Lisbon Courthouse. He was also a sanitation officer for the village of Wellsville. In the 1980s, Chuck served as safety director, overseeing all safety forces in the village of Wellsville. During his tenure, he was instrumental in having the gazebo at Fourth Street constructed. Additionally, in the late 1990s, he worked diligently to bring McDonald's restaurant to Wellsville. For his efforts, a plaque was dedicated to him and placed in front of the restaurant. Chuck was a member of the Hammond Park Commission, Columbiana County Board of Realtors, Wellsville All-School Reunion Committee, Wellsville Elks Lodge 1040, Fraternal Order of Police, Wellsville Sons of Italy Lodge 657, and Korean War Veterans Association. He was a member of the former Immaculate Conception Church.

In addition to the many awards Chuck received during his time on the police force, he also received the Wellsville Area Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year Award and was inducted into the Wellsville Legends in 2009. For his service and commitment to the Village of Wellsville and the Wellsville Police Department, Chuck was commemorated once again in 2012 with a mural on the Wellsville Flood Wall. In 2016, he received an outstanding citizen plaque from Wellsville Village Council and Mayor Nancy Murray.

Chuck always exhibited a true commitment and love for his community in the various roles he served spanning nearly sixty years. Despite battling health issues over the years, he never lost his love and admiration for his beloved police department and all of the men who served as first responders.

A Catholic Funeral Liturgy will be held at 1:00 pm on Thursday, December 22, 2016, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 418 8th Street, Chester, WV 26034, with Pastor Eric Antwi presiding.

Burial will follow in St. Elizabeth Cemetery.

Friends may call from 12:00-8:00 pm on Wednesday at Roberts Funeral Home, 631 Main Street in Wellsville. The Wellsville Police Department will conduct a service at 7:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in Chuck's name to the Columbiana County Drug Awareness Education Program, c/o Huntington Bank, 200 Lisbon Street, Wellsville, OH 43968.