Sydney
We regret to announce that Charles ‘Charlie’ William David O’Connell passed away peacefully on Friday, December 6, 2019 at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital in Sydney.
Born on September 2, 1948 in Sydney, Charlie was the son of the late Gladys ‘Toots’ and Frank O’Connell.
Charlie’s two assets were his hands (to fix, create, and care for) and his beautiful blue eyes (to observe everything). Charlie was a man you could count on with his punctuality and dependability. He dedicated 40 years of his life working for the CBRM as the Chief Engineer of Ice Maintenance at the Sydney Forum and Center 200. He was past president and coach leader with the Sydney District Little League. Charlie enjoyed helping others, Sunday night Mixed Bowling League, fishing, watching TV or out on the deck with his two fur babies, Shadow and Paris, drinking Tim’s coffee and having a smoke.
Charlie had a dream that later became a reality when the family gave him a surprise gift for his 70th birthday. It was a trip to Toronto, with great seats in the stadium, to watch his favourite baseball team, the Toronto Blue Jays.
Charlie leaves behind the love of his life for 47 years, Donna (Axworthy); sons, David (Frances Waterman) and Sean (Meghan); grandchildren who always made him smile, Nevaeh, Evander, Aurora and Charlee; sisters, Lynn, Margie (John), Francie, Stella (Frank), Trudy (Reggie) and Erica (Adam); brothers, Albert (Sue), Jackie (Connie) and Frank ‘Oakie’ (Cheryl); in-laws, Lill Brewer, John and Theresa Axworthy, Mike Axworthy and many nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, Charlie is predeceased by brother, Jimmy; son, Daniel and mother-in-law, Jean Axworthy.
Special thank you to the Palliative Care staff at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital and his ‘family nurses’, Stella and Francie for attending to ALL of Charlie’s needs.
Visitation for the late Charlie O’Connell will be held on Friday, December 13, 2019 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Pier Community Funeral Home, 1092 Victoria Rd. (entrance on Church Street), Whitney Pier. Memorial service to celebrate his life will be on Saturday, December 14, 2019 at the funeral home in the All Faith Chapel at 1 p.m. with Rev. Sheldon Chant officiating. Following the service, a light lunch will be served in the reception area of the funeral home. Private interment will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in memory of Charlie may be sent to charity of one’s choice.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of Pier Community Funeral Home.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of O’CONNELL Charles ‘Charlie’ William David 2019..
Death notice for the town of: Sydney, Province: Nova Scotia