Charles “Chuck” Michael O’Neil

Age 88 of White Bear Lake
Passed Away on January 11, 2016

Chuck was born on January 2, 1928 in Lowell, Massachusetts to Mary (nee Drain) and John O’Neil. After graduation, he joined the United States Coast Guard. While on a train, traveling to Alaska for the coast guard, he met his future wife, Muriel Hildebrandt. Muriel was on a trip with her friend to a dude ranch in Montana and they immediately clicked. The two were married on June 30th. Chuck continued to work for the remainder of his career for the United States Coast Guard as a First Class Radioman. While stationed in the Coast Guard, he and his family lived in Puerto Rico, Massachusetts, and Michigan. Following his retirement from the military, he and Muriel moved back to Muriel’s home state of Minnesota. Chuck and his wife played in a bowling league together and played cards. Once in Minnesota, he worked at the United States Post Office, did janitorial work, and bartended at the White Bear Lake VFW, the BT Taproom, and the White Bear Bar. Chuck loved sports and he was on a slow pitch softball team for years. His sports allegiance stayed with his Boston teams: the Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics, and Bruins. He was an East Coast, Catholic Irishman, was very social, friendly, trustworthy, and dependable. He had a great sense of humor and “marched to his own tune.”

Chuck passed away on January 11, 2016, with his family by his side. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Mary; his wife, Muriel; all his siblings and all of his in-laws. He will be dearly missed by his daughter, Debbie O’Neil (Doug Cain) of Vadnais Heights; his son, Michael Charles (Martine) O’Neil of France and their two daughters, Sarah Muriel O’Neil and Helen Debra O’Neil; special nieces and nephews, Michele Tubman, Brian Rivard, Lisa Neely, Barbara, Frank, Ricky, and Susan; a special great-niece, Laci Rivard; and many other nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Chuck would not have been able to live in his home this long without the wonderful support and friendship from Marilyn Nellis, Belinda Beek, Karen Arcand, Michele Hoge, and Deanna Gentili, who he loved. Along with the great people at Store to Door and the White Bear Lake Meals on Wheels.

There will be a gathering for friends and family from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at Mueller Memorial, 4738 Bald Eagle Ave., White Bear Lake with a prayer and sharing of memories at 7:00 PM. There will be a private interment for Charles at Nerstrand Methodist Knoll Cemetery in Kenyon, MN.