Charles J. Farina was born in Melrose Park, Illinois on November 16, 1927. He was a teacher and coach at East Leyden High School in Franklin Park, Illinois; as well as a quality role model for young people, a loving husband and a wonderful father. During World War II, in 1945, at the age of 17, he volunteered to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps. In 1951, after graduating from Purdue University, Charles spent the next two years as a civilian Judo Instructor at Ellsworth Air Force Base in Rapid City, South Dakota. Charles went back to Purdue University and completed a Masters Degree, He spent the next 36 years teaching and coaching at Leyden High School. His greatest coaching moments were coaching his son Jim to win two state championships, and coaching his son Mike on the way to the 1976 Olympic games. Over 40 of his former wrestlers became high school teachers and coaches. For the past six years, Charles and his wife have enjoyed their retirement in Temecula, California with many wonderful visits from good friends and family; and traveling throughout the many wonderful national parks and sights in the great state of California.
Charles J. Farina was born in Melrose Park, Illinois on November 16, 1927. He was a teacher and coach at East Leyden High School in Franklin Park, Illinois; as well as a quality role model for young people, a loving husband and a wonderful father. During World War II, in 1945, at the age of 17, he volunteered to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps. In 1951, after graduating from Purdue University, Charles spent the next two years as a civilian Judo Instructor at Ellsworth Air Force Base in Rapid City, South Dakota. Charles went back to Purdue University and completed a Masters Degree, He spent the next 36 years teaching and coaching at Leyden High School. His greatest coaching moments were coaching his son Jim to win two state championships, and coaching his son Mike on the way to the 1976 Olympic games. Over 40 of his former wrestlers became high school teachers and coaches. For the past six years, Charles and his wife have enjoyed their retirement in Temecula, California with many wonderful visits from good friends and family; and traveling throughout the many wonderful national parks and sights in the great state of California.
