Charles “Chuck” Rao

11/1950 -3/2014

Charles “Chuck” Rao passed away in Santa Barbara, CA on March 31st, 2014 after battling cancer for the past year. Chuck was born in Albany, NY in November of 1950. He attended Christian Brothers Academy in Albany and was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame for his outstanding athletic achievements. Chuck attended Northeastern University in Boston on a football scholarship. There he met his wife Elizabeth, the “Love of his life,” in his words.

After college, Chuck and Elizabeth moved back to Albany and would come to raise five children. In the early 80’s he partnered with Legion Liao of Taiwan, and pioneered the industry of manufacturing after-market autobody parts to which he recently received a Founders Award by the ABPA.

In 1995 he moved is family to Santa Barbara, followed his passion, mastered the art of wine making and spent many years cultivating a horticultural legacy. Salute to you Papa Chuck! We love and miss you and want you to know you will be in our hearts forever.

Chuck is survived by his wife Elizabeth, children Dia, Nicole, Chuckie Jr, Lizzy and Joey, and grandsons A.J. and Luca.

A celebration of life for Chuck Rao will be at 3pm on April 19th, 2014 at The Fess Parker Double Tree.