Obituary of Cesare Charles Portes, Sr.

It is with great sadness that we announce that Cesare Charles Portes, Sr. passed away at home surrounded by his loved ones on Nov. 6th, 2023 at the age of 91. 

He was known to family and friends as “Big Charlie”, “Chuckie”, or the “Fish Man”, hardworking, with a kind heart, and with a unique sense of humor who would always go out of his way to help others.   

Charlie was a lifetime member of over 70 years with the Mohegan Lake Fire Dept. which included him as a relief driver and a Board of Director member.  He was also a member of the Lions and Elks Club of Peekskill, NY.  Both he and his wife were parishioners of the Holy Spirit Church.  He was a mason by trade and then switched gears to open Charlies Fish Market & Restaurant in Mohegan Lake, NY with his wife in 1958 which later led them to do Catering by Nancy & Charlie until he decided to semi-retire.  He was a hardworking man, with endless hours at the restaurant and buying his fresh fish on Fulton St., in NY.   After many family vacations in Lake George, NY, he was not one to stay still, so both he and his wife along with his son and daughter-in-law opened Country Cottages in Lake George, NY.  This is where he loved being, back to building, driving for his son's chartered fishing business, and fishing with his friends and family.  He and his wife loved spending the summers there working and mostly socializing with customers who became friends.  Couldn’t stop there, at the age of 80 Dad decided to pursue a passion he always had hunting to another level where he butchered deer during the season.  When it came to his work, he was passionate and sometimes stubborn, but the job always got done.  In his little spare time that he had he spent fishing, hunting, and during the Christmas season at the tree farm.  

He is survived by his loving wife, Nancy M. (Zumbo) who celebrated 68 years of marriage this past May. He also leaves behind his daughters Debbie (Mancuso) & her husband Eugene, Diane (Barton) & her husband Kevin, along with his only son Cesare Charles Portes, Jr & his wife Virginia.  Along with six loving grandchildren and three great-grandchildren whom he was proud of, cherished & “gleamed” when he spoke about every one of them.  He is predeceased by his parents Rose & Joseph and his only brother Joe.

He was truly amazing and showered his family and friends with love, loyalty, and generosity.  He will be endlessly and greatly missed by all of us who remain.

In lieu of flowers, donations, if desired, may be made in Charlie’s memory, to Mohegan Volunteer Fire Association, PO Box 162, Mohegan Lake, NY   10547

“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal; love leaves a memory no one can steal”  Richard Puz

Visitation will be held at Joseph F. Nardone Funeral Home, 414 Washington Street Peekskill, NY 10566 on Sunday, November 12, 2023, from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Church of the Holy Spirit, 1969 Crompond Road, Cortlandt Manor, NY on Monday, November 13, 2023, at 10:15 am

Interment to follow at Assumption Cemetery, 1055 Oregon Road, Cortlandt Manor, NY 10567