Charles Michael O'Connell's Obituary
Charles O'Connell Obituary
Charles Michael O'Connell, Born April 2, 1938, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of John D. and Kathleen R (Kelly) O'Connell passed away on June 10, 2023. Chuck to his friends, was a devote Catholic, a devoted husband, and a loving father, grandfather, and great grandfather. Known for his wit and sense of humor, even as his health failed, caretakers would come sit with Chuck at the end of a long day to get cheered up and share a laugh.
Growing up Chuck loved the outdoors, he was active in Boy Scouts, worked at a stable caring for horses, & played numerous sports. While playing football at Roxborough High School where he graduated in 1956, he played against a future NFL hall of famer. After High School he served in the Navy hunting submarines in Florida. His 3 other brothers: John, Joseph, and William all had careers in the armed services.
Chuck would later work at the Thwing Albert Instrument Company selling scientific testing equipment and is where he met his wife of 59 years, Rita Fischler. Chuck and Rita would marry on May 23, 1964. After a job at Household Finance Chuck became an executive in the credit department with City Service Oil Company. This would move Chuck & Rita from Philadelphia to Tulsa in 1970, which was the oil capital of the world at the time, so he could open the new company headquarters. The couple's picture getting off the corporate jet at the Tulsa International Airport was on the cover of the Tulsa Tribune and made the news in the Tulsa World.
Chuck enjoyed living in Tulsa and stayed after his days with City Service were over. He made Tulsa a home with his wife Rita for their two children Maureen & Danny. He would devote his time to raising their family, volunteering at his Church St. Pius X where he: worked in the Church office, taught Sunday school, was a Eucharistic Minister, Usher, taught middle school as a volunteer, took Communion to those who could not attend Mass, sang in the choir, was an officer of the Knights of Columbus, helped work on the school & Parrish Center, and served as the Troop Committee Chair for Troop 81. He had many friends and close relationships with parishioners at St Pius, his neighbors, and others he met along his journey of life.
Chuck remained an avid Philadelphia Phillies and Eagles fan and enjoyed watching both teams win championships. Being from Pennsylvania Chuck grew up rooting for Penn State and Notre Dame but as Danny would attend the University of Oklahoma, he became a Sooners fan and rooted for all the teams in Oklahoma. He enjoyed going to sporting events and cheering on the Tulsa Drillers.
Growing up in a large family, Chuck learned how to fix most anything, he loved working with his hands be it on cars, plumbing, carpentry, gardening or anything else that just needed to get done. In addition to his wit, Chuck was known to be very intellectual, he attended the University of Tulsa, was knowledgeable on politics, and foreign affairs. Chuck was a strong Godly man where God, family, and doing the right thing meant everything. He was the type of person who would give change back to a cashier if they gave him too much and he saved several people's lives using CPR. He loved being around his family and all his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Surviving family include: his wife Rita O'Connell; daughter, Maureen Vaughan, her husband, Eric; son, Danny O'Connell, his wife Kate; five grandchildren: Jordan Brandt her husband Curtis; Daniel, Mary Abigail, Charles, and Genevieve O'Connell; and two great grandchildren: Whitley and Colby Brandt.
Chuck was preceded in death by his parents, four sisters, and three brothers.
Rosary with prayers will be held at St. Pius X Catholic Church located 1727 S 75th E Ave Tulsa, OK on Sunday June 18th at 7pm. Catholic Funeral Mass celebrating his life will be on Monday June 19th at 11am at the same location. Interment will be in the Holy Sepulcher Cemetery in the Cheltenham Township of Pennsylvania. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Catholic Charities. https://www.cceok.org/donate
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Charles Michael O'Connell, please visit our floral store.
Read More
What’s your fondest memory of Charles?
What’s a lesson you learned from Charles?
Share a story where Charles' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Charles you’ll never forget.
How did Charles make you smile?