Charles James Heller Jr., 72, of New Haven, passed away on Tuesday March 30, 2021 at the West Haven VA Medical Center. Born in New Haven on August 14, 1948, a son of the late Charles and Lorraine Cummings Heller, Charles is survived by his loving daughters; Michelle Rubertone of New Haven, Christen Nelson and her husband Erik of North Haven, siblings; Kathleen O'Neill and Frank Heller, and grandchildren; Jasmine, Rhieanna, Charles, and Mikaelynn Rubertone, and Ella and Robert Nelson. Charles attended and graduated from Eli Whitney Technical School in Hamden and went on to honorably serve in the United States Navy. Charles was also a graduate of the Hobart Institute of Welding and went on to work for the Teamsters Union 777 as a pipefitter and welder. Charles had a love for weightlifting and the sport of boxing , becoming a Golden Glove contender. Charles was a proud sponsor and advocate for the AA community, often giving motivational speeches at local churches and prisons.

Immediate family and friends are invited to a private service and can meet directly at St. Joseph's Church, 129 Edwards St. New Haven on Saturday April 10 at 10am for his Mass of Christian Burial. Interment with Military Honors will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, Hamden.