Charles J. "Charlie" Malaponte, 88, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 21, 2018, surrounded by his loving family.  The Rosary will be prayed at 2 p.m. followed by Visitation from 2:30 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, February 25, at Passantino Bros. Funeral Home, 2117 Independence Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64124. Family and friends will gather on Monday, February 26, at St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church, 6415 NE Antioch Rd., Gladstone, MO 64119, where the Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 12 p.m. Burial will follow at White Chapel Memorial Gardens. Please omit flowers.

Charlie was born December 13, 1929, in Kansas City, MO to the late Tom and Congetta (Ragusa) Malaponte.  He was preceded in death by his brothers, Carl, Tony (Val), Sam (Carmeline), Joe (Barbara) and Louie; and sisters, Mary DiGirlamo (Dominick) and Nancy Crist.

Survivors include his loving wife of 60 years, Margaret Sue Malaponte; his sons, Tom (Sally), Eddie (Prudy), and Charles (Michelle); grandchildren, Eddie Malaponte Jr. (Lisa), Marguerite Kanoy (Steven), Sara Lee Diaz (Drew), Charla Clark (Sam), Chuck Malaponte, Charlie Joe Malaponte, and Celia Malaponte; great-grandchildren, Marc, Joey, Amoriana, Sam, and Eddie III; sisters, Lucy Arthur (Larry) and Theresa Pendleton (Gene); sister-in-law, Yvonne Malaponti; many nieces, nephews and friends; and lifelong friend "like a brother", Joseph D. Vigliaturo.

Charlie served in the U.S. Army from 1951 through 1953 and served as Commander of Campo-Manfre-Barbieri Post 151 of the American Legion. He worked at the General Motors Fairfax Plant as a Quality Control Auditor before retiring and served as President of the General Motors Salaried Retirement Club. He also served as President and Missouri District Governor of UNICO - Kansas City Chapter, and was a member of the Rumba Club.

Charlie enjoyed telling stories, reminiscing and talking about history, and was an avid Royals and Chiefs fan. He had a strong presence yet was gentle and kind with a quick wit. He was a wonderful example to his family and was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. His love for his family was ever-present in everything that he did. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons. Honorary Pallbearers will be Nick DiGirlamo, Larry Arthur, Darold Crist, Louie Malaponti, Frank Pendleton, Asa King, Richard Marascuilo, Joseph D. Vigliaturo, Ross Cascio, Phil LaCapra, Mike Siragusa and Mike Morris.

The family wishes to thank the staffs of KU Cancer Center and NorthCare Hospice for their care.

Condolences may be offered at www.passantinobros.com.