Charles J. Infantino, 67, of Pittston, passed away Friday, February 7, 2020, surrounded by his family.
Born in Pittston on March 29, 1952, he was the son of Dolores Adams Infantino, Pittston and the late Joseph C. (Joey I) Infantino. Charles was a graduate of Pittston Area High School, class of 1970 and attended college concentrating in Music Theory.
Charles was most recently a manager at the Pittston Housing Authority at Infantino Towers. Prior to that he was a Pittston City Councilman and Pittston City Treasurer. He also worked for Luzerne County Courthouse in the Department of Veteran’s Affairs.
Charles’ musical talents began at a young age where he would practice playing the trombone under his father’s guidance daily in his grandfather’s barber shop. This lead to his musical career and love for music. Charles formed a high school band with friends and family called The Rubber Band, this is where he picked up the Bass. Later he was very successful with Mel Wynn and the Trend where Charles played trombone at the young age of 18. He recorded many songs with the band and the single “Hit Record/That’s When the World Really Began” for Mercury Records made it to #17 on the U.S. charts in 1971. Charles was also noticed during this time and was a very successful studio musician in NYC recording studios for Mercury Records.
In the 70’s, Charles and his brother JoJo along with Donny Occhiato and Chickie Colarusso formed the band Take Four. Take Four was a successful Top 40 band that played all-occasion parties and weddings. They were most memorable as the house band at The Mayfair Supper Club where people from all over would dance and gather. Charles was also very proud to be a member and leader of Cino Paci band following in his father’s footsteps. Charles played in the band with Shawn Klush at various Elvis shows all around the world. The past few years he played with the band Sweet Pepper and the Long Hots again showing off his unique style of playing the bass and his perfect pitch. He will forever be missed in the music world!
In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by brother, Joseph D. Infantino; grandparents, Charles and Luigina (Sciacca) Infantino, Vincent and Adeline (Serafin) DeGregorio and Dominic Adams.
Surviving is his soulmate and loving wife, Noreen (Phillips) Infantino who spoiled Charles throughout their marriage and continually cared for Charles and never left his side throughout his illness; his sisters, Josephine Dougherty and her husband Thomas, Shavertown, Lisa Joyce and her husband David, Pittston; step-daughter Tiffany Phillips and grandson Parker Grady; in-laws Ronald and Cecelia Phillips, Plains; nieces and nephews Thomas Dougherty and his wife Dr. Renee, Michael Dougherty, Kelly Feinauer and her husband Justin, Joey Infantino and his wife Amber, David Joyce and his wife Jamie, and Ryan Joyce; numerous cousins, great-nieces and great nephews.
The family will receive friends and relatives in St. Joseph Marello Parish, 237 William Street, Pittston on Friday, February 14, 2020, from 5pm-8pm and on Saturday, February 15, 2020, from 10am-11am. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 11am in St. Joseph Marello Parish, Pittston. Interment will be held at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to MilesforMichael.org or to the Cancer Centers of America cancer research fund cancercenter.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Adonizio Funeral Home, LLC, 251 William Street, Pittston.