Eight Bells: Charles Schifino

Charles Schifino

Charles Thomas Schifino, 74, was born in East Providence, RI, on August 23, 1945 and passed away unexpectedly at home in Warwick, RI, on June 28, 2020.

Charles honorably served in the U.S. Marine Corps (1964-1967) earning Pistol Marksman and Rifle Sharpshooter Badges, and medals in National Defense Service and Good Conduct.

After he was discharged from the Marine Corps, and after earning a degree in Computer Science, Charles accepted a role at the University of Rhode Island. He rose through the ranks of the IT department and recently retired as the Director of University Computing Systems after 49 years.

Growing up on Prudence Island, “Charlie” discovered his love for swimming, sailing, and all things in and on the water. He was a competitive sailor and competed on Narragansett Bay in PHRF and one design and won many races and regattas.

After his sailboat racing career, he took on the role of being an active Race Officer on multiple Race Committees and made sure every competitor had a great course to sail on.

He was an active member of the East Greenwich Yacht Club since 1987, serving on the board of trustees as President of Greenwich Bay Sailing Association, Race Committee Chairman, Social Committee, Membership Committee, and various other committees.

His love of sailing and powerboats was obvious to anyone who knew him, especially when he shared one of his favorite racing memories – winning the 1993 Michelob Regatta in the Etchells class. He had the soul of a true captain.

Charles was married to Camille for 46 amazing years. They shared a wonderful life together with their daughter and friends. Charles loved his daughter dearly, and she is truly daddy’s little girl. Together they skied, sailed, laughed, cried, and talked about everything – sometimes more than three times a day. Anyone who knew him knows she was the reason for the sparkle in his eyes.

Truly social at heart, Charles had a way of drawing people to him with his stories, his laughter, his teasing, and his warm heart. He paid attention to all of the details while entertaining guests at home or on the boat with Camille.

He and Camille shared a love for good food, whether they cooked together at home or he took her out to meet friends at any well-recommended restaurant. He treasured these moments with all he loved, and he tried to create them as often as possible.

An avid skier, Charles took his family to their home in New Hampshire for many years of weekends and school vacations. A former member of Valley Country Club, he also loved golf, whether it involved watching the pros or hitting the greens sometimes even three times a week.

Making the most of his retirement, he spent his days enjoying family, friends, and certainly, his 5-month-old grandson’s smile and laughter. To see them interact was to witness pure unconditional love. His spirit lives on in his grandson.

He is survived by his wife, Camille Schifino, his daughter, Cristen Schifino Newman, son-in-law, James Newman, grandson, Lincoln Charles, and step-grandchildren, Aaron and Calista. He was predeceased by his parents, Charles Schifino and Ruth Jackson Slater.

A Funeral Service will be celebrated on Monday July 6th at 10:00am in St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 99 Peirce Street, East Greenwich, RI followed by a Burial with Military Honors in Swan Point Cemetery, 585 Blackstone Boulevard, Providence, RI.

Visitation is respectfully omitted. A repast following the Cemetery will be at the Schifino’s home. The Charles T. Schifino Memorial Scholarship has been set up at Sail Newport. In lieu of flowers donations can be sent to “The Charles T. Schifino Memorial Scholarship”, c/o Sail Newport, 72 Fort Adams Dr., Newport, RI 02840.