Charles "Charlie" Michael Dirienzo

Charles Michael DiRienzo (December 30, 1933 – July 16, 2024)

Charles (Charlie) DiRienzo, age 90, of Madison, passed away peacefully at home on July 16, 2024, surrounded by his family, after years of battling a lung disease.

Charlie was born in Madison, WI, to Vincent and Elizabeth DiRienzo along with his identical twin brother, Clair. They grew up on Monroe Street with their older brother and sister, Vincent and Rosemary.

Charlie graduated from Madison West High School, where he met the love of his life, Shirley Engelhart. He and Clair joined the US Navy in 1952 and were stationed in Hawaii as airplane mechanics. Upon returning to Madison, he and Shirley were married in a double wedding with Clair and Mary (Shirley’s sister) on June 11, 1955. The two families lived side by side in a duplex they built and raised their children together, creating a unique bond and one large happy family.

In 1960, the twins joined the Madison Fire Department. Charlie had a fulfilling and successful career, which he loved. His career highlights in the department include being part of the first paramedic class in 1972, the first paramedic Division Chief, and retiring as Assistant Chief of Operations in 1989. His schedule allowed him other pursuits such as building homes and running a liquor store with Clair and spending time with family at his parents’ cottage on Lake Mendota.

Charlie’s Catholic faith was an integral part of his life. He was a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish since 1960 and regularly attended morning and weekend mass. He volunteered in several capacities including usher, server, sacristan, funeral luncheon set-up, holiday decorating, as well as volunteering at food pantries. He was a generous philanthropist donating to multiple religious causes. Charlie was a very independent, sociable, intelligent, ambitious, generous individual who was a jack of all trades and was always willing to share his vast knowledge with others. He spent many lunch hours with relatives telling stories at Culver’s which was his favorite restaurant. Those who knew him will miss his smiling face.

He is survived by his children, Michael (Rita Wilhelm) DiRienzo, Teresa (Tony) Bertini, Tammy (Dennis) Murphy, and Tina DiRienzo; his grandchildren, Jaclyn (Josh) Miller, Jolene Bertini, Michael (Brianne) Murphy, Nicholas (Hannah Maher) Welna, Seth (Autumn) Welna, and Austin Bertini; his great grandchildren, Charlie Mae and Calvin Murphy, Maya and baby Miller on the way. He is also survived by his siblings; Dominican Brother Vincent DiRienzo; identical twin, Clair DiRienzo, as well as Clair’s children; Diana (John) Kropac, David (Lynne) DiRienzo, Dawn (Vernon) Green as well as numerous brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews, and his beloved companion dog, Shirley Ann. He is preceded in death by his wife, Shirley who he has missed dearly for the last 9 years, his parents Vincent and Elizabeth, sister, Rosemary, nephews, Daniel and Douglas; mother and father-in-law, Herbert and Lorena Engelhart.

 A visitation will be held at 9:00 am on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 602 Everglade Drive, Madison, WI 53717. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the following: SSM Health at Home Hospice, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church or a charity of your choice in his memory.

Our family would like to thank SSM Health at Home Hospice Care Team, especially Lauren, Anna, Ace, Meagan and Sister Georgeann for their professional and compassionate care; and his doctors at SSM Health, Dr. Randall Haas and Dr. Baher Habeeb. A heartfelt thank you to our god sent angel, Brianne Murphy. “Goodnight Dad, love you, bless you.”