Charles "Chuck" R. Orefice, 81, died April 16, 2025, in Oklahoma City. He was for 61 years the beloved husband of Connie Orefice of Edmond, Oklahoma. A native of Buffalo, New York, Chuck enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1961 when he was 17 years old and served for eight years, including two tours in Vietnam aboard the minesweeper USS Illusive (MSO-448). Sometime after leaving the Navy, he continued his military service in the U.S. Coast Guard where he earned the rank of Chief Petty Officer while serving aboard the icebreaker the USCGC Northwind.
Chuck and Connie moved to Oklahoma in 1979 when Chuck was stationed in Sallisaw, Oklahoma to serve aboard the USCGC Muskingum, which still operates today. After retiring from the Coast Guard as a Senior Chief, Chuck enjoyed a long career with the Oklahoma State Parks and Recreation Commission, serving first as a park ranger and later as a park manager and superintendent of a variety of state parks including, Alabaster Caverns State Park, Foss State Park, Little Sahara State Park, and Quartz Mountain State Park. For many years, Chuck and Connie lived in the Mustang area, and Chuck recently was a resident at the Norman Veterans Home.
He is survived by his wife Connie; his daughter Adelita Orefice and her husband John Fracasso of Granby, Connecticut; his son Anthony Orefice and his wife Michele Orefice of Edmond, Oklahoma; his son Angelo Orefice and his wife Beth Orefice, of Weatherford, Oklahoma; as well as his five grandchildren: LT John Olorin, JAGC, USN and his wife Veronica Olorin; LTJG John Orefice USCG and his wife Lily Orefice; Thomas Orefice; Erica Orefice; and Giana Orefice. He is also survived by his sister Sara Coleman and two brothers, James Orefice and John Orefice, all residing in New York state.
The family is grateful for the exceptional care the Senior Chief received both at the Norman Veterans' Home and at the Veterans Medical Center. Friends are welcome to join the family for the service.
Chuck will be interred at the Fort Sill National Cemetery, in Elgin, Oklahoma on May 20, 2025, beginning at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made In Memory of Charles Orefice to the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, Norman Division, Attn: Accounting Division, PO Box 1668, Norman, Oklahoma 73070.