Charles Ostrofe

May 6, 1931 - July 1, 2023

The loss of Charles Leo Ostrofe on July 1, 2023, marked the end of a life well-lived, full of accomplishments and happiness.

He was born on May 6, 1931, at St. Mary’s Hospital in San Francisco to Caroline and Victor Ostrofe. His father was born in AustriaHungary (now Slovakia), and his maternal grandparents lived in Germany. Charles established and had maintained a good relationship with the relatives in Slovakia. He graduated from St. Ignatius High School and was awarded a college scholarship to the University of San Francisco. While at USF he enrolled in ROTC, then transferred to Santa Clara University and graduated with a degree in engineering. He then did service in the army and was sent to Germany. He enjoyed his service, was able to visit his relatives in Germany, and returned home to San Francisco. He worked at his Uncle Leo Metten’s tannery for several years. Then he married Patricia Cane, and they began a family with daughter Nora and son Charles. Leaving the tannery, he began a long career as an engineer with Pacific Telephone in San Francisco. Early in his career he was transferred to New York for a few years, so he and his family happily lived in the New York area. At early retirement, Charles began a new career as a private telephone engineer working for Frank Thatcher and Associates. He worked on many interesting communication projects and helped improve systems as far away as South Africa. At his retirement he never stopped being active, volunteering for his local parish and St. Vincent de Paul’s, traveling extensively including Germany and Eastern Europe to trace family connections, continuing piano lessons, woodworking, reading history and philosophy, and just generally enjoying his life while still accomplishing good things. He married Linda Ayscue, and he and she enjoyed their lives together so much. From his hospital bed, Charles said he had lived a good life, and he had. He was predeceased by his parents, his brothers Frank and Robert, his wife Patricia Cane Ostrofe, and his son Charles. He is survived by his wife Linda Ayscue, daughter Nora Ostrofe, granddaughter Madeline Bell, nephews Allen, Neil, and Cary Ostrofe, and niece Regina Perdomo. Services will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 4025 Martin Luther King Junior Way, Oakland on July 13 at 10:30.