Charles 'Chuck' Robert Bonasera Jr., 13302 Lake Shore Drive, Hudson, Fla., passed away Tuesday morning, Jan. 11, 2011, in Community Hospital, Port Richey, after complications of heart disease. He was 75.

Charles was born July 4, 1935, in the family home on York Way, Sharon, to Charles Sr. and Emma Jane (Seige) Bonasera.

He was a 1953 graduate of Sharon High School. He was a musical prodigy who at the age of 14 had his own radio show on WFAR, playing polkas on the accordion.

He worked for John Hancock Insurance Co. for over 10 years and won various sales awards. He was the owner and operator of Bonasera Music Center in Warren, Ohio, and at the Eastwood Mall in Niles, Ohio. Also very accomplished on the organ, he entertained regularly at Troggio's in New Castle, Neil's in Columbiana, Ohio, and at the Sportsman's Club in Conneaut Lake, where the family spent many summer vacations.

The highlights of his music career were playing at the Hacienda on the strip in Las Vegas; playing keyboard for Lionel Ritchie and Kenny Rogers in Florida; and performing with Frankie Yankovic. For many years, he taught music to the young and old, always preaching that 'practice makes perfect.' After moving to Florida in 1985, he continued to entertain at various country clubs and for special occasions, until his health deteriorated in the last year. His other hobbies included hunting, fishing, boating, golfing and RV camping in Silver Springs, Fla. He also bought and sold vintage cars and currently had a clean, vintage Mustang convertible in the garage. In his younger years, he raced go-carts with his brother Patrick (Bud, 'The Weapon') Bonasera and more recently enjoyed attending NASCAR races, especially the Daytona 500. He was a faithful member of St. James Catholic Church in Hudson, Fla. He was a former member of Church of Notre Dame, Hermitage, and played the organ for !

church functions and services for many years in the Notre Dame gym until the church was built. He was also a member of SNPJ. While in Florida, he was a member of the local Moose Club, Italian American Club, Elks Lodge and Sons of Italy, and enjoyed being with friends.

Surviving are: five daughters, Jeanne Endicott and her husband Alan, Greenville; Holly Baldarelli and her husband Alan, Hermitage; Margaret Murphy, Willoughby, Ohio; Sherry Testa and her fiance Joe Batrla, Hopewell, Pa.; and Pamela Osborne and her husband Alan, Hermitage; 15 grandchildren, Alayna (Endicott) Richard, Shaun Endicott, Lauren Endicott, Rachel Endicott, Alan 'AJ' Baldarelli Jr., Jenna Baldarelli, Matthew Baldarelli, Rita Baldarelli, Patrick Murphy, Thomas Murphy, Meghan Murphy, Joshua Testa, Brenden Osborne, Ryan Osborne and Abigail Osborne; a great-grandson, Isaiah Richard; his current wife, the former Linda Gordon; a stepson, Mark Gordon, Florida; his brother, Patrick and his wife Deborah; and a niece, a nephew and many cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister-inlaw, Joanne (DeLon) Bonasera.

Calling hours: Family will receive friends from 5 p.m. to time of service Tuesday (1-18-11) in Church of Notre Dame, Hermitage.

Friends may e-mail condolences by visiting www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.com

Service: A memorial Mass will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the church. Arrangements by J. BRADLEY Mc- GONIGLE FUNERAL HOME and CREMATORY Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon.