Chuck Spatafore
April 30, 1933 - June 20, 2025
Visitation: Friday, 3-7PM, Devlin Funeral Home, 806 Perry Hwy., Pgh, PA 15229
Service: Saturday, 9:30AM, St. Teresa of Avila Church, 800 Avila Ct., Pgh, PA 15237
Charles “Chuck” J. Spatafore, a jazz drummer whose rhythms echoed through Pittsburgh’s clubs and concert halls for decades, passed away peacefully on June 20, 2025, following a brief illness. Beloved husband of Rita (Morris) and the late Marlene (Grimm); Loving father of Gary (Debbie), the late Doug (survived by Geri), Diane Feliciani (Gene), the late Charles Jr; and Natalie Bohan (Tom), Loving Stepfather of Derek Tuszynski (Cindy), James Morris (Veronica). Proud grandfather of Doug (Jenna), Leigh (Tony), Dan, Skyler (Jonathan), Marisa, Gabrielle, Otto, Lucca, Tommy, Chantel, Adrianna, Mya, and Halle; Cherished great-grandfather of Leo, Anna, Jett, Waverly, Gia, and Christian. Brother of the late Robert (the late Lois) and the late Ralph Spatafore. Chuck is also survived by many loving relatives and friends.
Born and raised in Pittsburgh’s Hill District and the North Side, Chuck’s life was a steady beat of passion, laughter, and connection. He was a parishioner of St. Teresa of Avila for more than 60 years. He also served there as an usher. A former college football player and coach, he was a lifelong sports lover, and he defied the limitations of age whether on the tennis courts well into his 80’s or hitting the gym right up until his recent illness. He built and coached a football team at the Western Penitentiary, which went undefeated. He inspired everyone who knew him to keep moving, keep smiling and keep going. Chuck was an extrovert in the best sense of the word. His joy for life was infectious, his storytelling legendary and his humor unmatched. No one could leave a conversation with him without a laugh, a grin or a new favorite anecdote. He had a deep love for his friends and family always bringing his signature warmth. Chuck Spatafore was a true original: a drummer, a teammate, a jokester, a gym rat, a sports fanatic, a dear friend, and a loving family man. He leaves behind a legacy of rhythm, resilience and joy. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you honor Chuck by doing what he did best: tell a good story, listen to some great music and make someone laugh. Follow the link below to hear Chuck at the age of 32, with his trio. https://www.facebook.com/share/v/16h8uGGs5U/
Friends will be received on Friday, June 27th from 3-7PM at DEVLIN FUNERAL HOME, 806 Perry Hwy., Pgh, PA 15229. A Mass of Christian Burial will be in St. Teresa of Avila Church (Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish) on Saturday, June 28th at 9:30AM.
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Diane, Gary and Natalie,
Amazing how memories can flood our minds in thinking back on times spent with special people and your dad is certainly one of them…as kids I remember him as larger than life – such a presence! How fortunate you were to have him for all these years! Love and Prayers to you all during this time of loss.
Love, Kathy
I made this tribute to Chick on my blog:https://grandstander.blogspot.com/2025/06/to-absent-friends-chuck-spatafore.html
What a life to celebrate! Mr. Spatafore was one of those rare people who made you feel you were the most important person in the room to him. I am so sorry for your loss.
You reach a point in your life when the people who have been there forever become fewer. Our family just lost a champion in that regard. Diane and Nat we are out of town and will not be able to be there. But our deepest sympathies come your way notwithstanding. Love, rick and eli
I enjoyed playing tennis with Chuck from the glory days at North Park to more recently at Devlin Park in McCandless. Chuck was always a pleasure to be around; it was just a delight to be in his company. My deepest sympathy on the passing of this wonderful man.
Wanted to send our sympathies to Chuck’s family. He played tennis with my Dad, “Bob” Tien Lu Chu. Chuck was kind enough to attend my Dad’s funeral last year. He was always so such a friendly person. He definitely looked much younger than his actual age.
Wanted to send our sympathies to Chuck’s family. He played tennis with my Dad, “Bob” Tien Lu Chu. Chuck was kind enough to attend my Dad’s funeral last year. He was always so such a friendly person. He definitely looked much younger than his actual age.
Chuck, rest in peace, and my condoleances to the family. I am still grateful that you invited me to play tennis with your group. We always had a great time, you will be missed!
I was honored to play with Chuck for several years, starting in the late 90’s. He was THE GREATEST!!! Blessed also to call him a most valued friend. With his treasure chest of experience, performing with the best of the best, his playing was in a class by itself. An unrivaled raconteur. Anecdotes and stories that made you howl. A guaranteed GREAT time during and after every gig. He made my life better. Loved him.
I am extremely saddened to hear about the passing of Mr. Spatafore. I first met him when I was five years old as my family moved from the Northside and became the only black family in the Suburb of Swan Acres in the North Hills of Pittsburgh. Our meeting happened as I walked over to the Spatafore house and introduced myself as saying I’m five and showing four fingers. His family became our neighbors and friends throughout my entire life. They were always inviting and welcoming toward us most especially when we as kids would ride our bikes around to his basement studio to watch and hear him practice his drumming routines. You could often hear the synchronized rhythms and patterns from afar. He was masterful and we were always mesmerized. He always had great stories to tell and jokes from what seemed a lifetime of experiences and we especially loved when he showed us his dog Ginger’s pallet of tricks which she performed perfectly on cue every time. He was always in shape and athletic built, always at the gym or playing tennis and racquetball and always looked as a man of importance and cool especially when he wore his shades. When I left for Syracuse University and became a starter for the team the family always displayed joy for me by telling me how they watched me on T.V. and his son chuck Jr. who attended Ohio State was so proud of my 9 yard sack of Kirk Herbstreit in the 1991 Hall of Fame bowl against Ohio State that he would tell me that whenever he talked to the quarterback he would remind him of his neighbors play in laughter. We would often go and see Mr. Spatafore play at a Jazz function throughout the city and to us it was always a special thing to do as a family. My brother and I would get excited as, “we were going to see Mr. Spatafore play.” He was well known throughout city of Pittsburgh and people always responded when I mentioned his name. There was never a time I couldn’t approach him and talk even through some tough times in my life as an adult he would sit and talk with me in his living room showing me old pictures of him as a football player or showing me videos of him as a young Jazz drummer. At these times he was always strong and his athletic frame was always sturdy and it seemed he was one of those who would always be around. I am blessed to have known him and learn from his life experience and send sincere condolences to the family.
Chuck wasn’t just a great musician but a sensitive family man that he was devoted to. Proud to have worked with him but happier to say he was my friend. Prayers for the family.
Chuck was a true original, when you met him you felt as if you were a friend for life. He did me a great service once, my daughter was badly injured in a car accident and Chuck went out of his way and called one of his many contacts for me and got her some of the best therapy she has had. I will be forever grateful to him. I hope heaven is ready for one of the best storytellers and best men I have ever known.
To Gary “Spats”,
My sympathies to you and your family. I have to take my wife for a medical procedure on Friday so I may not be able to stop by to pay my respects. I hope you have many great memories of you father that you can remember and enjoy to help with the pain of his passing. I believe that there is something after death. I hope we can see those we love there. God bless you and yours.
Tom Jacoby
Sounds like a wonderful man. So sorry Rita.
Sorry to hear about my friend and more like a brother for many many years…Damm Chucky… rest in peace and.till we meet again… love you brother
Spatafore family. I’m so sad to hear this news. Your dad was a larger than life guy who I will always have fond memories of. My first job at the North Park swimming pool and the ice rink making a dollar an hour still makes me laugh out loud. He made the world more fun.
Chuck had a wonderful sense of humor and was never at a loss for a good story. I enjoyed many days of friendly teasing with him during our gym sessions. He will be remembered and missed there.
I was honored to play with Chuck for several years, starting in the late 90’s. He was THE GREATEST!!! Blessed also to call him a most valued friend. With his treasure chest of experience, performing with the best of the best, his playing was in a class by itself. An unrivaled raconteur. Anecdotes and stories that made you howl. A guaranteed GREAT time during and after every gig. He made my life better. Loved him.
What a FANTASTIC MAN ! A TRUE MAN’s Man If you had him for a friend, you were a cery Lucky person God Bless you 🙏🏻
I am very sorry to hear about Chuck passing. I was their mailman for years. He was truly a great person. He defined the term out going. A true gentleman and he was always upbeat. He was one of a few people who call the Steelers office and ask for Dan Rooney and would be connected. I ran into him about a year ago and was shocked when he told me his age. The world lost a great man and anyone who was lucky enough to have known him was very fortunate. I will keep all of you in my thoughts and prayers.