Charles Andrew Lazzaro

Charles Andrew Lazzaro, age 87, passed away at his home in Saint Johns, Florida surrounded by his loved ones on July 14th, 2015. He was born on February 19th, 1928 in Brooklyn, New York, the eldest of 3 sons of Thomas Albert Lazzaro and Irene Alice Broadhurst. A devoted husband, Chuck was married for 63 years to the love of his life, Janice Brown and was a doting father to their two daughters, Kathy Sue (Ken) and Karen Ann. A WWII veteran and recipient of the World War II Victory Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal (Japan), Chuck served as the First Cook for the Army base in Osaka, Japan from 1946 to 1948 where he received a commendation for having a mess hall that was “The best damned outfit in the best damned Army in the whole damned world.”

After leaving the Army, he relocated to Miami, Florida where he served for 20 years as a city of Miami police officer. In October, 1965, he was awarded the honor of “Most Courteous Officer of the Month” as a result of his professional handling of a routine traffic stop which was interrupted by a fleeing suspect whom Chuck apprehended before returning to complete the citation.

After retiring from the police department, Chuck and Jan relocated to Switzerland (Saint Johns), Florida where he pursued his hobbies of woodworking, fishing and gardening. Chuck was a member of the Jax Woodworkers Club, an organization dedicated to providing toys to underprivileged children. Unfailingly kind to the end, Chuck will be deeply missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Chuck is survived locally by his wife, Jan; daughters, Kathy and Karen; son-in-law, Ken; and grandson, Kevin; and in Cambridge, Ohio by his brother-in-law, Howard and many loving nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at twelve noon on Friday, July 17, 2015 at The Oaklawn Chapel. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow in Oaklawn Cemetery with Military Honors. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida or The Arbor Day Foundation.

HARDAGE-GIDDENS, THE OAKLAWN CHAPEL, 4801 San Jose Boulevard is serving the family.