Obituary of Peter Charno

Peter was born in Warren, Ohio on September 1, 1919 and passed away in Lake Havasu City on Sunday, December 30, 2012 at age 93. Parents were Theodore and Maria Charno who immigrated to the USA from Romania. He graduated from Warren G. Harding Senior High School in 1938. At age 16 he got his first paying job at Sinclair Gas Station which was open 24 hours a day. Peter was later employed at Ravanna Arsenal as a supervisor of the nitrate line. They manufactured 55 millimeter shells and up to 5,000 lb bombs. He was later employed by Copperweld Steel in planning and production control where he was in management, scheduling workforce for the forge shop. Peter married Margaret Buzea on January 30, 1943 and they had five children - Nora Jean who died at an early age, Beverly Stephens (Rick) of Lake Havasu City, twins Thomas Peter (Patricia) of Grosse Pointe Woods, MI and Margaret Susan Latterman (Don) of Rancho Palos Verdes, CA and Tracey Lee Bergstrom (Jeff) of Lake Havasu City. In 1945 he opened Dobbs Jewelry Store in Detroit, MI. He became a partner in Steel Exchange, a steel warehouse, in 1947. From 1949 to 1967 he was Executive VP of Cadillac Steel Products which manufactured building supplies, trash cans and replacement brake shoes. From 1967 to 1972 Peter was employed in position of Personnel and Purchasing Director for Regal Stamping Company, a Division of Peabody Corp. Then in 1972 he semi-retired to Lake Havasu City, AZ where he built and sold a six unit condo complex known as Grosse Pointe Manor. Then in 1976 he came fully out of retirement, starting Charno Building Supplies which became a very successful business which he later sold. Peter was extremely active in the growth and formation of Lake Havasu City. Some of his accomplishments are: · President of Kiwanis Club in 1979-80. Kiwanis developed Jack Hardy Park (He also donated all the lumber for the ramadas) and he was instrumental in forming the Golden K Club of Kiwanis. · Elected outstanding citizen in 1980 · 1982-83 he was president of Lake Havasu City Chamber of Commerce and served on their Executive Board for 8 years. He helped to consolidate the Tourism Bureau as part of the Chamber. · Served on the Industrial Development Commission and assisted in attracting Croft Metals to open a plant in our City. · Appointed to the first City Airport Commission. · Charter member of Lake Havasu Rotary Club. · Helped promote Boys and Girls Club during their formation stage. · Member of our local Homebuilders Association · Assistant Chairman of London Bridge Days Committee for 6 years and then Chairman for another 5 years. · Was an active Shriner for many years and is a past president · Donated materials for construction of the Band Stand at Sara Park for the Charley Daniels Band and Beachboys Concert · Assisted with and donated materials for construction of the 1st Information Booth for Chamber of Commerce in the English Village Peter was a loving, outgoing individual who touched many lives not only in Lake Havasu City but in Michigan as well. He gave freely of his time and money for countless charities and civic organizations in our community. He believed in our community and in its' youth, stressing job opportunities for them. During his active years, he attended 80% or more of the City Council meetings and was a strong voice on behalf of future orderly growth of our community. Peter was above all a true dedicated family man. His family was first and foremost with him in all his actions and deeds. Margaret, his wife, died on January 30, 2006 on their 63rd wedding anniversary. He is survived by 4 of his 5 children, 6 grandchildren and three great grandsons. A celebration of Peter's life will take place on Saturday, January 12, 2013 at 11:30 AM at Grace Episcopal Church with a reception following. In lieu of flowers, donations in Peter's name can be made to Grace Episcopal Church, 111 Bunker Drive, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86406