Biancone, Charles Michael 

59 12/3/1949 11/23/2009 The world was never the same 
after Dec. 3, 1949, the day Chuck was born. From day 
one, he lived life to the fullest. He was born in 
Portland to John and Barbara Jean Biancone. He grew up 
in the Laurelhurst neighborhood and graduated from 
Benson Tech High School in 1968. Chuck loved sports, 
lettering in both football and baseball. He continued 
playing city league softball for many years. After 
spending time as a U.S. Marine, he spent several years 
as a mechanic. But it was later in life that he found 
his true calling and gift in creating and repairing 
fine jewelry. During those years he was married to Mary 
Biancone and they had two daughters, Tami and Tory. His 
love of skiing, whether on the slopes or on the water, 
was a big part of his life. Chuck could really tear it 
up! His true passion was boating with family and 
friends. Chuck was always ready to give someone "a pull 
and make that Sanger dance." He had several boats 
through the years, but his 1991 Ski Sanger was the boat 
for Chuck. Chuck was always ready to help fellow 
boaters with his wisdom and knowledge. To his friends 
on the water, he was the captain of the clan. Most 
recently he enjoyed seeing his grandchildren discover 
that same joy of water sports. Of all the places he 
boated, the Columbia River, Cultus Lake, Cove 
Palisades, Lake Merwin and Lake Havasu were his 
favorites, where he shared many adventures with his 
family and friends who he held so dear to his heart. He 
was fortunate to have homes in both Lake Havasu and 
Lake Merwin that he shared with his wife, Melissa. 
Chuck had a special place in his heart for dogs, and 
while younger he had his dog, Christmas, as his pal and 
in recent years his rat terrier, Jack, was always at 
his side - they were a pair to draw to. Chuck was the 
kind of man whose warm personality outshone his 
physical differences and soon those differences just 
melted away. Throughout his life, he always had a smile 
on his face and a twinkle in his eye. Not many men 
could accomplish that, but Chuck did it with grace and 
strength of character. He is survived by his wife, 
Melissa Anne Biancone; daughters Tamara Biancone and 
Tory Engelgau; son, Jon Michael Engelgau; brother, 
Thomas Biancone; and grandchildren, Melissa 
Bodenroeder, Alexia Bodenroeder, Kyle Sandwick, 
McKenzie Engelgau, Chase Bodenroeder, Kennedy Engelgau, 
Cole Vaughn, Charlie Engelgau and Soren Valadez. He was 
preceded in death by his sister, Deborah Biancone; 
parents, John and Barbara Jean Biancone; and 
grandparents, Amedeo and Vincencia Biancone and Charles 
and Vita Stipe. There will be a celebration of his life 
from 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009, at 8329 S.E. 
89th Ave., Portland, OR 97266. Contributions may be 
made to the Arthritis Foundation (www.arthritis.org).

Published in The Oregonian on December 3, 2009