WAPPINGERS FALLS - Charles A. "Chuck" Ropes, Jr., 80, a resident of Wappingers Falls and formerly of Euclid, OH, died on Sunday, December 16, 2012 at Vassar Brothers Medical Center surrounded by his family. He was a devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio on December 30, 1931, he was the son of Charles A. "Charlie" Ropes, Sr. and Elizabeth "Betty" Mulligan. He received his Bachelor's Degree from Ohio State University where he played as a center for the basketball team. Following his graduation, he moved here to work for Texaco, Inc. in Glenham as a mechanical engineer for 37 years until his retirement in 1993. During that time, he played basketball for Texaco in the local Industrial League.

Chuck was a parishioner of St. Columba Church in Hopewell Junction and a member of Trinity Council #445, Knights of Columbus, Beacon. He was a basketball official with IAABO for 29 years and a volleyball official with MHVBO and PAVO for more than 30 years. He enjoyed camping, hunting, tinkering with cars, golfing with his kids and traveling. In his lifetime, he visited all of the seven continents of the world.

Chuck was a gentle man who loved to help others. He never said a bad word about others and would often surprise his family members by fixing things. He was a "gentle giant", a tall guy, with big hands and big feet, and he had a very dry, witty sense of humor.

On January 27, 1962 at St. Joachim's Church in Beacon, Chuck married Anne Prendergast with whom he recently celebrated his 50th Anniversary. He is also survived by his children, Linda Nevelus and husband Bob of Fishkill, Charles A. Ropes III and wife Lily of Wappingers Falls, Mary Ropes of Hopewell Junction, Jacqueline Bozeman and husband Michael of Middleburg, FL and Steven Ropes and wife Jennifer of Pella, IA; his grandchildren, Meghan Slinskey, Charles A. Ropes IV, Zachary Ropes, Curtis, Amber, Ian, Elizabeth and Donald Bozeman, Alex, Sally, Brittany, Austin, Sydney and Brayden Ropes; his siblings, Peg Tamberella of North Ridge, CA, Liz Hadlock of Berton, OH and Ed Ropes of Avon Lake, OH; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Calling hours will be held on Wednesday from 2-4 and 7-9pm at the McHoul Funeral Home, Inc., 895 Route 82, Hopewell Junction. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday at 10am at St. Columba Church, 835 Route 82, Hopewell Junction followed by interment in St. Denis Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Smile Train, PO Box 96231, Washington, D.C. 20090-6231 or www.smiletrain.org. .

For driving directions, online condolences and memorial donations, please visit Chuck's Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.