SPRINGFIELD - Charles D. "Tuna" Sumares, 70, of the "Tunarosa" (established in 1989) on Hungry Hill in Springfield was Called Safely Home on Monday, May 6, 2024. He passed into Eternal Life at Mercy Medical Center in Springfield surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving wife, Mary and his wonderful caregivers. He was born in Springfield on November 4, 1953 a beloved son of the late Charles Goncalves Sumares and Eleanor (Grasso) Sumares. He attended local schools and was extremely proud of being a lifelong resident of Springfield. Tuna was a 3rd generation family member who was employed by the City of Springfield DPW. He began working at the DPW at the age of 16 and retired in 2014 as a Foreman after 43 years. During his work career with the city, Tuna held many positions with the AFSCME Local 3065 including President, Vice-President and Treasurer. Tuna also owned East Springfield Auto Sales for over 30 years and refurbished used police cruisers. Tuna was a huge NASCAR fan and said the only "good car" was a Ford. After his retirement, he made special models of Ford Springfield police cruisers and the Hampden County Sheriff's cruisers for many of the officers. Tuna was a "Legend on Hungry Hill" in Springfield. He established the "Tune by Tuna" Car Show in Springfield and organized them for over 30 years. The car show began at the Springfield Plaza for the benefit of the Special Olympics. The show later moved to Smith & Wesson in Springfield and was for the benefit of the Shriners Hospital. The show had a huge car display and a parade each year from Smith & Wesson to the Shriners Hospital for the children. His "Tune by Tuna" stickers were everywhere you looked including our funeral home register books when he attended a wake. It was also said that one appeared on a towel dispenser in a rest room at the White House. He was a member of the Melha Shrine, a member of the former Adriatic Club and a 50 year member of the Marconi Club, all in Springfield. He enjoyed meeting his friends at the Marconi Club and especially liked the monthly dinners. He leaves his beloved wife and best friend, Mary E. (Minahan) Sumares. They were married on Friday, August 17, 2001 at the "Tune by Tuna" Car Show in a Ford NASCAR race car and were blessed with over 22 years of happiness together. He also leaves his loving step-daughters, Kimberley Flaherty and her husband, Michael, of West Hartford, Kerry Flores of Westfield, and Kelly Broyles and her husband, Jeffrey, of South Hadley; his six cherished step-grandchildren, Katherine Flaherty, Kiley Flaherty, Cory Cardinale, Emma Broyles, Bridget Broyles and Bailee Broyles; his cherished step-great grandson, John Bresnahan; his three siblings, Penny Knowles and George Hristopoulos and his wife, Barbara, all of Florida and Charlene Tranghese and her husband, Joseph, of Wilbraham; his two brothers-in-law, John Minahan and his wife, Nancy, of Taunton and Edward Minahan and his wife, Allyson, of Plymouth; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, numerous friends and extended family members. Tuna will be sadly missed by his faithful canine companion, Blackjack. His funeral will be held on Wednesday morning, May 15, 2024 beginning at the St. Pierre - Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, (413-737-1177) funeral home will open at 8:15 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 395 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA 01104. His burial will follow the Mass at Saint Michael Cemetery, 1601 State Street, Springfield, MA 01109. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. His family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 516 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104. For more details and to leave his family condolence messages, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com