Charles "Chuck" Kamakian

It is with great sadness that we announce the loss of Charles “Chuck” Kamakian who passed away on Wednesday May 22, 2024. Charles was born in Racine on August 16, 1932, son of the late George and Varantoush (nee: Hovagimian) Kamakian and had been a lifelong resident.

Chuck graduated from Wm. Horlick High School “Class of 1952” where he played varsity basketball earning the nickname “The Horse”, intramurals, “R” Boys, Hi-Y and movie operator. He later was a committee member for the Rebel Golf Outing and Horlick 75 Year Celebration. He was inducted into the Horlick High School Hall of Fame as a Graduate of Distinction. Chuck proudly served his country in the US Army during the Korean War. He was employed with North Shore Bank for thirty-two years, where he earned the trust of countless customers and cultivated many friendships in his workplace and throughout the city. On May 29, 1992, Chuck was united in marriage to Carol Barbera and have shared thirty-two wonderful years together. Always civic minded, Chuck served on the Board of Directors of the North Side Business and Professional Association, Treasurer of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Racine, board member of Township of Caledonia-Board of Review, member of Racine Zoo Planning Committee, committee member of Duck’s Unlimited-Racine Chapter, member of American Legion Post 310, Racine Salmon Unlimited, Racine Historical Society, Wustum Art Association, Wisconsin Bowhunters Assn and board member of the Caledonia Conservancy. In his spare time Chuck loved hunting, fishing, especially at his trailer home in Genoa, WI on the Mississippi River for decades whom he made lifelong friends with.. too many names to list but all of them meant the world to him, annual trips to Puerta Vallarta, Mexico, and spending time with his family and friends. Chuck will be best remembered for being proud of his Armenian heritage, dedication to his country and community, and his great love and devotion to his family. May his legacy of kindness carry on.

Chuck will be dearly missed by his wife, Carol; daughter, Tracy Reese (Bart Kowalski); son, Kai Kamakian (Robin Polzin); grandchildren, Kai Reese (Karley Alvord), Addie Reese (Brian Curry), Tyler Kamakian (Natali Aranda) and Niko Kamakian; his extended family, Steve Barbera (Jodi Jensen), Terri (Scott) MacDougall, Kim (Travis) Grob and their children, Ryan (Jill) MacDougall, Sean (Rachel) MacDougall, Adam (Rebekah) MacDougall, Kaylee MacDougall (fiancée, Kathleen), Kyle (Debi) MacDougall; sisters, Ann Lucarelli, in-laws, Shirley Kamakian, John Schultz; nieces, nephews other relatives and friends. In addition to his parents, Chuck was preceded in death by his brother, George, sister, Mary Schultz and brother-in-law, Les Lucarelli.

Funeral services with full military honors will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday June 4, 2024, 3:00 p.m. with Rev. Mark Doidge officiating. Relatives and friends may meet with the family prior to the service 12:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. Private family interment will be held at the Bohemian National Cemetery. Memorials to Holy Communion Lutheran Church or St. Mesrob Armenian Church have been suggested.