Siblings to run marathon to honor late father, firefighter

By John W. Goodwin Jr.

GIRARD — Before he died at 65 of complications from lung cancer, John Charles led a full life socializing with and helping those around him. Now, his family hopes he can continue to be a help even in death.

Charles, a lifelong Girard resident, spent more than 20 years battling fires as a member of the city fire department, something he took pride in doing. He also spent long hours socializing with patrons and friends at the Perillo Bar in the downtown area, which he owned for many years. The bar is now called The Alumni.

Besides his work as a firefighter and businessman, Charles was a boxer, sports enthusiast and well-liked throughout the city.

Lung cancer ended Charles’ life in 2007. He was diagnosed with the disease in January and died in May of that year.

Charles’ daughter Molly Charles and her five siblings are hoping they, and their father via their efforts, can be part of the ongoing search for a lung cancer cure.

“We are participating in the Chicago Banco Popular Half Marathon activities on Sept. 14 and raising money for LUNGevity. We want to raise money to help prevent other families from going through what we have gone through,” said Molly Charles.

LUNGevity Foundation was founded by seven Chicago-area lung cancer survivors to increase funding for lung cancer research. The mission of LUNGevity Foundation is to save lives and to ease the burden of lung cancer on patients and their loved ones.

The Charles clan — Kellie, Jan, Brian, John, Molly and Megan — planned on raising $3,000 for the cause before the September deadline. The siblings have already raised more than $3,600, and donations are still rolling in.

Molly Charles said the idea to run came from a family friend amidst the grief of her loss.

Read the full story Monday in The Vindicator and on vindy.com.