Computer genius, playful uncle
In the family household of teenage Charles Carvalho, the phone would often ring late at night. “Who is calling at this hour?” his father would bellow. It wasn’t teenage girls who were seeking conversation with young Mr. Carvalho; it was a computer science professor from California Polytechnic University, Pomona, seeking the genius advice of Mr. Carvalho when his computer crashed.
“He was very talented. He was a brilliant man,” said his mother, Ces Carvalho.
Computer professors from Harvey Mudd College also relied on Mr. Carvalho for assistance. While still attending Claremont High School, he was employed by the college for his excellent computer skills.
And he wasn’t proprietary about his knowledge, his family shared.
“His colleagues said that he was so good, and he was so respected because he was willing to share all his knowledge. That doesn’t always happen,” said his mother. “He was always willing to help them solve their problems. And he was extremely patient.”
“What he could teach you, he would,” echoed his sister, Ellen Marello.
Mr. Carvalho, a former 18-year Claremont resident, died at the age of 50 at his home in Santa Barbara on January 20, 2008. Born in Seattle, Washington on September 25, 1957, he moved to Claremont with his family in 1962 and attended Claremont public schools.
For one semester, Mr. Carvalho attended Cal Poly, Pomona, but dropped out rather quickly after finding that what they were teaching was “behind the times,” his sister said.
“He was furious,” commented his mother, “[Cal Poly] was teaching him computer language skills that were 3 or 4 years out of date. He thought, ‘Why should I learn a language that’s not used anymore?’ But he had a job, so he wasn’t worried.”
Along with Cal Poly, Pomona, Mr. Carvalho had also been accepted for study at one of the Claremont Colleges. However, when the college asked for a photo, he became infuriated and refused to send them one or attend the institution.
“He thought they were trying to fill their Hispanic quota,” his mother remarked.
For one of his first professional endeavors, he relocated to Fresno to work on what was intended to be a 6-month computer project. The expert that he was, Mr. Carvalho finished in 4 months and moved on to new horizons. He then worked in computer systems for Sambo’s Restaurant in the Carpentaria/Santa Barbara area. From Sambo’s, Mr. Carvalho went on to work at the ACC computer company, next working out of his home for San Jose-based Cisco Systems. He was still working for Cisco Systems at the time of his death.
A professional computer expert, Mr. Carvalho’s interest in computers also extended to the world of pleasure. A kid at heart, computer games and electronic toys of all sorts brought him great delight. His home was filled with all sorts of playful apparatus, such as a pinball machine.
The childlike spirit of Mr. Carvalho was always a big hit at family gatherings, which he never missed even though it often meant driving long distances to join the fun. With no children of his own, he played with his nieces and nephews with gusto and was particularly known and loved for his talent at making giant bubbles.
“Who needs a clown or a bounce house when you’ve got Charles and his bubbles,” said his sister.
“The children just really loved him,” said his mother.
So adored was Mr. Carvalho by his nieces and nephews, they would often complain when it was time to part company. But he always had a quick quip for them in response.
“You can’t come back if you never leave,” his mother recalled Mr. Carvalho saying to the young ones.
Mr. Carvalho’s enjoyment of his young family members sometimes involved sleepovers during which he would set up a tent in the living room to slumber with the kids. And although he was a night owl and a late riser—“You never called Charles before noon,” said his sister—he would wake early with the children so as not to miss out on the next round of fun.
In 1983, Mr. Carvalho married Janet Laichas, enjoying a mutually supportive marriage until her death from cancer in 2006.
“He was totally devoted to her,” his sister shared.
Revealing the sweet-tooth habits of her son, Mr. Carvalho’s mother divulged that he “had to have his Dr. Pepper.”
“He had it with him constantly,” she said.
Mr. Carvalho’s mother also noted that although he was an extremely private person, he possessed a great sense of humor.
Ms. Carvalho is survived by his mother, Ces Carvalho of Upland; by his 4 brothers, Robert Carvalho of Tulare, Edward Carvalho of Claremont, Stephen Carvalho of Ontario and Mark Carvalho of Paradise; by his 3 sisters, Mary James of Sacramento, Ellen Marello of Lake Forest and Christine Edwards of Santa Ynez; and by his 5 nephews and 2 nieces. He was preceded in death by his wife, Janet Laichas, on June 9, 2006; and by his father, Elmer R. Carvalho, in 2005.
Memorial Mass will be celebrated at noon, today, Saturday, February 16, 2008 at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, Claremont.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Our Lady of the Assumption Church, 435 Berkeley Ave., Claremont, CA 91711.
