Daddy- tomorrow is your birthday, and I still can’t believe how long we have been without you. I pray every day that you can see everything the kids are doing, because you would be so proud of them. They are smart and funny and often remind me of you (our particular brand of humor is a strong family trait 😆). I miss you every single day. Every. Single. Day. I love you daddy. Happy birthday.

Can’t believe how fast 5 years has passed. I remember you closing Steve and I in the sleeper sofa when you were “babysitting “ us. When dad’s car came in the driveway you would open it up and make us run up to bed. We were always afraid to tell Mom and Dad and you were always my favorite brother😘. Just goes to show how loveable you were. Miss you Charlie and your love of life❤️❤️ Give my love to Mom, Dad and Tara

Daddy
If you’ve seen the news, you know you’re not missing much- though I do have a good time imagining your running commentary. You’re still the first one I want to call whenever I do something right. Can’t even delete your phone number. I know you’re in good company. I know you’re around. Miss you always. 
Love Sunshine 

So sad and sorry to see  that Charles hass passed.  Such a genuine and sweet guy. You will be missed couz!❤️

I miss you so much, my Charlie.  A week before you went to Heaven you turned and said to me, " you know you're never alone - right? ". I am holding on to that.  I love you, honey.

My brother,
It’s been three years....I think about you all of the time with joy and hope.  Mom joined you three weeks ago.  Now it’s you, Tara, Mom and Daddy...please take care of us down here!
Love 
Steven

Charlie, can’t believe it’s been 2 years so fast! Your smile stays with us always. I’m here on the beach looking out to the ocean, a place that always brought you peace. Give my love to daddy and Tara. Love you always

My courageous cousin. You showed us by your example how to be strong, cheerful, engaged and positive even in the face of challenges. Remembering you Charlie❤️

I loved Chas.  I met him driving a bus in Bklyn.  I worked at a horse stable, and when I got on his bus he said "I love the smell of horses". Usually I would get stares and mean snickers.  His smile made everyone feel special and accepted. 

Love you, "Young Charles." From the littlest of the cousins. ❤

I did not know  him too well, but got to know him a little bit through Chrissie' family. The one big memory I have of Charlie took place many years ago at one of the Eger Christmas Fairs. I was walking around and heard a voice from a distance call out my name. I was was somewhat surprised that he knew who I was and was very impressed by this. Back then, his voice was strong and clear. Over the years, I was impressed with his smile and optimism. A lot of us could use that, including myself. To paraphrase a book about President Kennedy, " Charlie, I hardly knew ye." But wish I had. Rest in peace. 

Like everyone else who has contributed here, I have so many great memories of Charlie and deep respect for his sense of dignity and how he carried himself during his time with us. My stepmother Rosa was a volunteer up at Eger and got to know Charlie well. She lives in Colorado now, and when I shared the news with her via email she replied (and said it better than I could) with the following:

Charlie was a very special person; he never complained and was always willing to help and support others. I believe you must have very fond memories of him going back many years. Sorry for the cousin you lost. Charlie is irreplaceable.   


Thoughts that come to mind about Charles ... loving, caring, helpful, cheerful.  I will miss my nephew.  If we had more men like Charles, the world would be a far better place.

Life as Charles’ younger brother produced myriad memories, most happy, some painful, but none which I can give justice to on this page.  I am blessed to have had him as long as I did.  He mentored and disciplined me in my youth, and in my adult years we bonded as friends.  He was proud of me and truly concerned about everybody in my family......he especially loved the girls but always asked “how are the boys doing?”  He had a soft spot for Lisa.  He always had a kind word and I know he was thrilled she was in our family.
     In the end , the years were really tough for Chuck ( he recently told me that he never liked when I called him that) but he never lost his sense of humor or his smile.   He was selfless, and truly caring and I hope he stays by my side until I learn to be that way also.

It’s so hard to choose a single memory of my father to share. There have been so many talks at a kitchen table by an open book, even more holidays spent laughing together. But if I just have to choose one, it would be our day spent together at Coney Island. I told Dad I had never seen the boardwalk or the roller coaster that he talked about, that day he decided to take me himself. We took a long bus ride down to the city and he took me to see everything I wanted. He watched from the side with a big smile while I got to ride bumper cars, and told me to reach up to try and touch the sign at the peak of the roller coaster like he used to. I even went twice on that roller coaster, both times in the front seat and it felt like he was riding with me. We ate lunch at Nathan’s hot dogs and ended the day with a walk through the aquarium. The whole day was just us, having fun reliving some of my dads fun times, and making new memories for me. I will cherish every bus ride and walk, every breakfast and dinner, every holiday and birthday I shared with my father. He will always be my model for endless love, faith, and endurance. And I will always miss and love him. 

It is hard for me to pinpoint any particular moment that stands out in my mind about Uncle Charles, but I do know and will echo what many others have said about him.  His smile is not only infectious but it is profoundly sincere!  You knew just by his smile that he was happy to be around you which in turn filled you with joy when you were in his presence.  I am extremely thankful of the time I got to spend with my Uncle as I grew up and for the memories I get to carry with me for the rest of my life.  I can’t help but tear up as I write this and read the memories of others who have posted before me.  I embrace these tears as it they are proof that he has made a lasting impact on all of those who were lucky enough to be a part of his life.  You will live in our hearts forever!

“Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love” 1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV

I Love You Uncle Charles!


As cousins, I also remember playing, with gleeful abandon, on Kingdom Ave. with the lively O’Briens. The later family reunions always brought a hearty welcome greeting from Charlie, who had acquired wisdom far beyond the rest of us. While Dad was at Eger and complications arose, Charlie, you would somehow materialize like a genie and guide us through the difficult times. I still marvel at your acceptance and quick perception of the important stuff. What a wonder you are, then and always. Be at peace cuz,  while we remember your kind and thoughtful acts and feebly attempt to carry on.

If we just take a moment to think about how many people have smiled because of Chas.   He was a good dad to his girls.  My one fond memory  was seeing his smile when he came out of the delivery room and said - "It's a girl!".  Three times  I had the privilege of seeing his pride - announcing how happy he was that he had 'GIRLS".   Did I mention he got to pick their names!?  Katelyn-Mary,...Tara-Lynn,....Keri-Anne.    Three beautiful lassies!     Some of my favorite memories was watching the girls grow.     I'm sure he's  holding Tara's hand now!

It was Palm Sunday at Cranberry Lake. Nanny and poppy were hosting and Anthony and I had just arrived with our 9 day old (6 pound) baby girl in my arms. The whole family was there and so happy for us and to meet Gabriella but your smile stood out amongst them all. You couldn’t get over that little Janine was a mother and how beautiful me and my baby were. I can still picture that day and your happiness for me. Since that day and every big event in my life you have always shown such happiness and love. No matter what struggles you were going through it didn’t stop you from being genuinely happy for everyone else around you. You were truly special Uncle Charles and everyone who knew you was touched by an angel! I hope you are dancing in heaven and doing everything you missed so much. We all love you and will hold all the memories close to our hearts.


Charlie was the best.  He, Mike (his brother) and I had so much fun together.   Charlie was my 1st borns Godfather. Couldn't have chosen a better.  My children loved him.  He was the fun uncle along with my sister (Cathy) the fun aunt. Cathy just passed in April and she adored Charlie. Now they will meet again.  
4 years ago Allison came into his life and Charlie was like a kid in love. Thanks to Allison Charlie had many happy years.  We can't thank her enough.  
Charlie we will never forget you.  Thank you for the many fun times we shared.  

Ah, Charlie💕. I met you first as a 17 year old at The Factory. You were everyone’s favorite guy at the door!  When I came into the family you were my biggest fan and you remained so through 32 years. Eveytime I saw you you always commented on my hair!  That made me laugh. Some guys are leg guys...you were a hair guy.  Rest easy now Charley.  I’ve learned over the past few years to use the term you have “left the body”. I love that because it reinforces that the shell has been discarded but the soul remains intact. Walk among those who have gone before you. Practice your dance moves for when Allison gets that first dance, and keep laughing my dear brother-in-law. Until we meet again😘

Charlie was a great brother and a forever friend to all those who knew him. He embraced life before and after the MS entered his world. He was not judgemental and found some common thread with everyone he met. I never met anyone who didn’t like Charlie and speaking of him always brought a smile to people and a funny or sweet memory to share. All thru the changes in his life brought on by this disease he never pitied himself or asked “why me”. In fact he would say “why not me.” I love you and miss you, I will carry you in my heart always

I was in my 40s when I met Charlie, the father of my girlfriend and already confined to a wheelchair - not a scenario commonly associated with the beginnings of a close relationship.  I anticipated pushback, discerning observation, distrust, and over-compensation from a protective father trapped in such a non-intimidating physical position.

I couldn't have been more wrong.

Charlie embraced me from the start.  As opposed to being confrontational, he made me feel welcome; he trusted his daughter's instincts in choosing me; he made the effort to get to know me, without judgment.  We bonded quickly, talking about the Mets and Giants, or Christian music as opposed to Black Sabbath, or work, or family, or art, or politics, or love, or the stupid mistakes of our youth, or the old neighborhood in Great Kills that we shared.  We never had a shortage of common topics.  He had long before found peace in his predicament, somehow finding the positives in being trapped in his own body, and I grew as a man by simply knowing him and experiencing his subtle, sarcastic, and usually funny wisdom.

I feel blessed to have been, I hope, an important part of his life, even if for a relatively short period of time - he was certainly an important part of mine.  Charlie became a father to me, with my own father long gone, but even more so he became among my closest friends.  He taught everyone he knew how to laugh at themselves.  He set the greatest example for having dignity under difficult circumstances.  He gave more than he ever got back.  And he leaves us all better for having known him, to a much better existence than he endured here.  He will be terribly missed. 

Godspeed, Dad.       
 

My Charlie.   Who would have ever thought I would meet the love of my life when I was 58 years old?   From the minute I saw you I knew I was in love.  You were the most handsome, smart, funny and romantic man I ever knew.  We were together just about every day - all day-  for 4 years.  It wasn't enough.  You were everything to me and I am so lost without you.   We never got to dance, together,  my honey,  but you told me you would be waiting for me in heaven so we could have our first dance.  I love you, my Charlie, and I hope you realized just how much when you were with me.    We will be together again and this time it will be forever.

My dad Charlie was a ray of sunshine that burst into every room he entered.  In my entire life I don’t think I ever saw my Dad walk into a room where everyone inside wasn’t happy to see him.  My dad was funny, and often people marveled at his seemingly impervious sense of humor when it came to himself and his condition- he could have headlined a standup comedy tour for MS.  Some people were perplexed by it but I honestly believe it played a crucial role in how long he was able to keep fighting.  My dad was soft spoken, sympathetic and unabashedly mushy at times- particularly when it came to his daughters, grandchildren, or his long-time partner, Allison.  I hope that everyone will remember my dad for his strength, his faith, and his thousand megawatt smile that was utterly infectious.  He would want us all to smile and laugh when we share memories of him, because he could never stand to see us cry. He is home, where he always knew he was going- and there are familiar faces that love him too waiting to greet him.  Daddy knows we all love him very, very much.  As Daddy would say, “I’ll catch you on the flip side”

My memories of Charlie begin as children, cousins. This boy, sweet, caring,  willing to spend time with us, mostly at Aunt Eleanor’s & Uncle Arties or family cookouts. A favorite adult memory was at a family reunion cookout at a park in NJ. There was Charlie, sweet handsome Charlie talking to each one of us. Laughing like when we were kids. Never a complaint from Charlie. I’ll remember his goodness and kindness always. Rest In Peace Charlie❤️

OBITUARY

Charles O'Brien

3 August, 1955 – 23 July, 2019

Casey McCallum Rice South Shore Funeral Home

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