Charley Birimisa died west of Willows on Saturday, April 23, 2022, the result of an accident while racing his Mustang at Thunderhill Raceway. Charles Louis Birimisa was born in Mt. Shasta to Louis Birimisa and Ruth Brown on June 12, 1947.
He lived in the Mt. Shasta area his entire life. During his high school years, Charley was a star football player who received multiple scholarship offers from various universities, as well as becoming an accomplished ski racer, being selected to compete at the Junior National Level.
He opted to serve his country by joining the Marines as a Lance Corporal in Communications during the Vietnam War. On Dec. 2, 1966, he married the love of his life, Faioa Lynnette “Lynne” Schwarzenberg.
Following military service, they returned to Mt. Shasta, where they raised their three children. He worked as a large equipment operator in the timber industry as well as a master technician for the House of Ski.
They became owners of the House of Ski & Board, where Charley was known as an extraordinary ski technician and boot fitter, serving people from communities throughout Northern California.
He was a unique human being with many natural skills and talents. Time was spent designing, building, and repairing nearly anything, especially cars; many hours working on their house and gardens; downhill skiing and hiking; exploring the many National Parks of the U.S.; and traveling to visit family members.
He will be dearly missed by many.
Charley is survived by wife, Lynne; son, John (Jen) Birimisa; daughters, Stephanie Bethel and Gretchyn Zuiderweg; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren; and his beloved dog, Pete.
A funeral mass and celebration of life are to be announced at a later time. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Siskiyou Humane Society, or a charity of your choosing.
The Glenn County Observer 