Charles "Charlie" Anthony Esola

Sutter Creek, CA — Charles Anthony Esola, "Charlie", age 83, died peacefully in his home on May 23, 2025, due to complications of bone cancer and other ailments. Charlie is survived by his second cousins, Christopher Schwindt and Daniel Schwindt, and Kerri Travers, a dear friend who provided him with much loving care in his later years. Charlie was an only child and was predeceased by his parents, Faustina Brusatori and Antone Esola, his aunt, Pierina Schwindt, and his cousin, Peter Schwindt, with whom he spent much time in his youth.

Charlie grew up and lived his whole life in Sutter Creek, CA. He was diagnosed as mentally handicapped at an early age, and thus did not participate in typical education or work life, and never married. Nevertheless, he enjoyed a full life with many local social activities, including the Catholic Church (where he later helped as an usher), Men's Club, Knights of Columbus (where he eventually became a Fourth Degree Knight), ARC / VMRC education, social and work programs, among others. He even travelled to Seattle to visit his cousins years ago. (He never figured out where Dan went.)

Charlie was well known and well-loved in his small-town community, including at his favorite restaurant, Perko's, where he always enjoyed the senior steak platter. Charlie almost always had a smile on his face and was happy to greet everyone with child-like joy and enthusiasm, never holding a grudge, and always repeating his favorite sayings, names of his favorite people, and never-ending questions… a familiar predictability that marked his endearing character. 

He had a comparatively tough and spare living in his early years through adulthood, but in his later years enjoyed all the creature comforts and lack of want, including many caring people looking after him along the way. Thanks to his local community (and his mother's frugal ways), he was able to stay in his home and enjoy his simple way of life until the end.

A mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 24, at the St. Katharine Drexel Church (11361 Prospect Drive, Martell, CA 95642; (209) 223-2970), where Charlie was an active long-time member. A graveside service will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Charlie's honor to the local ARC or St. Katherine's.