Charles E. Bertolacci

Charles “Chic” Edgar Bertolacci

Charles “Chic” Edgar Bertolacci of Kirkland WA passed away peacefully on Monday, October 18, 2021 surrounded by family.

Born September 13, 1938 in Brooklyn, NY to John Alfred and Edna Ford Bertolacci.  He lived most of his younger years in Plainfield, New Jersey.  He graduated from Plainfield High School in 1957.     During his high school years, he was on the wrestling team.  He was known to wrestle with his brothers and had a reputation for breaking the living room furniture.

Chic was a 1961 graduate of Lehigh University.  During his college years he was involved with intermural sports and was always the life of the party just like his father.

In 1964, Chic married the love of his life Sophia Kocay.  They just celebrated 57 wonderful years of marriage.

In the early 1960’s Chic enlisted in the National Guard.  He served as a cook, but the only thing he cooked for the family was breakfast.

While in New Jersey, they had four children, Alise in 1965, the twins, Jeffrey and Jennifer in 1967 and Camille in 1968.  The growing family kept him very busy with four children and the oldest was still 2 years old and a job transfer from the east coast to the west coast.

He worked for Johnson & Higgins and Marsh & McLennan in Seattle since 1970 and was a Senior Vice President as an Insurance Broker in the Aviation Department.  Boeing was his largest account. After a successful career he retired on April 1, 2000.  During his career, he was well travelled to England, France, Germany, Asia, and other European countries numerous times and even had bragging rights for flying on the supersonic Concorde from London to Seattle.

He is preceded in death by his parents John and Edna Bertolacci and he is survived by his wife, Sophia and four children, Alise (Dalan) Fors of Ravensdale WA, Jeffrey Bertolacci of Payette ID, Jennifer Bertolacci of Kirkland WA, and Camille (Del) Aguilar of Renton WA; his brothers John (Ellen) Bertolacci of Florida and Alfred (Lynn) Bertolacci of Virginia.  Additionally, Chic has four grandchildren Adam Bertolacci of Everett WA, Lindsay (Collin) Wilson of Enumclaw WA, Brianah “Brie” Bienhoff of Everett, WA, and Rylee Bienhoff of Lake Stevens WA.  In addition, he has four great-granddaughters Emmie, Magnolia “Mae”, Keira Wilson, and Carmen Holloway and lastly his dog Gizzy (also known as Gizmo).

According to his family, he enjoyed spending time with his wife and family including his children, grandchildren, and great granddaughters as well as his many friends.  Chic joined Golds Gym and enjoyed going daily and sometimes twice a day.   He was an inspiration and was dearly loved by the ladies with Zumba and Body Pump classes.

He was also an avid stamp collector and specialized in worldwide which managed to keep him very busy.  For many years he walked to the doughnut shop to meet with his buddies. He also enjoyed being on the hunt for both antiques and artwork.  Years ago, he was an avid jogger and a snow skier.  He volunteered for Lake Washington Ski Council as chaperone for many years.  He had a very healthy appetite which led to his fellow employees’ nick-naming him “Sir-Lunch-A-Lot”.  He never passed up a good dessert especially if it was Lemon Meringue Pie.

A celebration of Life for Charles “Chic” E. Bertolacci will be celebrated on November 13th in Woodinville WA and Funeral Mass will be announced at a later date.    Everyone was a friend and all that knew him will greatly miss him.   The old cliché resonates Chic “To know him is to love him”.  The family would like to express special thanks to the Evergreen Hospice care team.

In lieu of flowers please make a charitable contribution to the Kidney Foundation, The American Heart Association or your favorite charity.

We would like to extend a special Thank You to everyone who supported Chic during his last days.  He felt very loved and appreciated.