Charles H. O’Connell
Charles, H. O’Connell, 96, of Riverside, died peacefully on February 29, 2024 at home surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband of the late Janet (Smith) O’Connell.
A lifelong resident of East Providence, he was a son of the late Joseph E. and Mary (Charlton) O’Connell. He grew up on Newport Avenue in Rumford while working on the family Gladiolus Farm where he saw the Hindenburg fly over. As a child he saw the horse race Whirlaway and Alsaab at Narragansett Race Track. He also walked home from Union Primary School the day of the 1938 Hurricane.
Mr. O’Connell was the former Finance Director of the City of East Providence for 38 years before retiring in 1991.
Charles was a graduate of East Providence High School Class of 1945 where he was selected on the All-State Track & Field team. He was Second Team All-American by posting the fastest school-boy thousand yard race. In 2006, he was inducted to the East Providence High School Hall of fame. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business from Bryant College.
Mr. O’Connell was a communicant of St. Brendan Church. He was a former member of the Board of Directors of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island. He enjoyed reading, studying history, golfing, ballroom dancing and was a devoted Boston Red Sox fan.
Charles was a United States Army Air Corp Veteran serving during World War II where he received the World War II Victory Medal and also the U.S. Army Occupation Medal with Japan clasp, Cold War Service Medal for service on Okinawa and Attached to the 8th Air Corp, 22nd Air Depo, Crash Boat Unit. He also participated in the first Philippine Independence Celebration in 1946.
He is survived by two daughters, Kathleen Tripp and her husband Kenneth of Louisville, KY and Eleanor O’Connell of Riverside; two sons, Charles “Chuck” O’Connell and his wife Rachel of Mendon, MA and Daniel O’Connell and his companion Donna Avery of Coventry; a sister, Margaret “Peggy” LaMarre of Riverside; six grandchildren, Yvette, Justin, Eamon, Chip, Julie and Sarah and two great grandchildren, Cody and Brady. He was the father of the late Patricia Corbin, father-in-law of the late Jill O’Connell and brother of the late Helen Dorr, Loretta MacDonald, James, Joseph and Mary O’Connell.
His funeral will be held on Wednesday March 6, 2024 from the W. RAYMOND WATSON FUNERAL HOME, 350 Willett Avenue, Riverside at 9:15 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Brendan Church, Turner Avenue, Riverside at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery.
Calling hours are Tuesday 4-7 p.m. Contributions in Mr. O’Connell’s memory to a charity of your choice would be deeply appreciated.
