Charles "Chuck" Sterling was born in Queens New York on 16 September 1936 to George Sterling and Dorothy Berenholtz. Charles had a life-long interest in aviation and graduated from Aviation High School in Long Island, New York. Shortly after graduating high school, he joined the United States Air Force where he furthered his education and became an Airplane Mechanic. Charles served in America during the Korean War and was honorably discharged on 30 May 1958. In the early 1960s, he earned his private pilots license. Charles developed an award winning innovation for the A-6 fighter jet canopy that saved the United States government Millions of dollars. Awarded by the Secretary of the Navy, Dr. Perry. Charles "could fix almost anything". He worked his mechanical magic on boats and household devices with equal ease and expert capability. Charles was an inventor as well, he invented and patented an ingenious boat hull bottom cleaning brush. He was a member of the Norfolk Sailing Association where he was the winning Captain of "Sea Dancer", an Oday 26, "Escapade", a Catalina 29, and the "Voila", a Pearson 30. Charles was a devoted husband, father, step-father, grandfather, brother in-law, and friend. He has 9 grandchildren and 3 great-grand children. With patience and love he helped educate his grandchildren. He has an extended family and dear friends that were central to his life and happiness. Charles is preceded in death by his mother and father and granddaughter Jamie Lynn Mcleod. Charles is survived by his wife Patricia Sterling, son Glenn Sterling, daughter Melody O'Reilly and Grandchildren Savannah O'Reilly and Shane O'Reilly. He is also survived by his step-children Brenda Warwick Berry Henderson, and Aaron Henderson and grandchildren Kelly McLeod, David Henderson, Jennifer Henderson, Angel Marasigan, William Henderson, and Malena Henderson.