Charles Rocco Arnie

June 8, 1933 - December 2, 2022

After a yearlong battle with cancer, Charles Rocco Arnie, oilfield hand, recreation department employee, coach, educator, and school principal, passed away on December 2, 2022. He was 89 at the time of his death. At home and surrounded by his family and caretakers, Charles’ passing was as peaceful as circumstances allowed.

He was born on June 8, 1933, in Morgan City, Louisiana, to the late Charles Arnie and Bernadine Dimiceli Arnie. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Monica Hebert Arnie, and one sister, Leda Arnie Henry and her husband Chester Henry of Morgan City, LA. Charles left one son, Nicholas E. Arnie along with Nick’s wife Carol Smith Arnie of Bristol TN., He also is survived by daughters, Mary E. Arnie and her fiancée, Barry Vinson, Julie Arnie Cutrera and husband Johnny Cutrera, and Jennifer Arnie Johnson and husband Dwayne Johnson. All of Charles” daughters now reside in Lafayette, LA. The complete family includes 5 grandchildren, John Cutrera, Lauren Johnson Carter, Jacob Cutrera, Blake Johnson and Charlie Arnie; their spouses, and 8 great-grandchildren, Camryn and Connor Cutrera, Collins and Claire Carter, John Anthony, Miles and Barr Cutrera, and Eleanor Johnson with another on the way.

Charlie was a lifelong resident of Morgan City, LA. He attended elementary school in town and graduated from Morgan City High School in 1952. He graduated with a B.S. degree in Physical Education and Social Studies from Louisiana State University in 1957. He earned a Master’s degree in School Administration from Nicholls State University in 1969, and later earned a 30+ degree again from Nicholls in 1973.

Though he worked for a short time in the offshore oil industry, Charlie was primarily known for his work as an assistant recreation director and an educator. He did both jobs simultaneously for many years. As an employee of the city’s recreation department throughout the 1960’s and early 1970’s, he worked tirelessly to make all of the programs he administrated were on par with any town in Louisiana. He later was elected President of the Morgan City Recreation Commission on two separate occasions.

It was as a teacher/coach and then principal, Charlie really became known. Hired at the same time as his wife Monica in 1958 at Shannon Elementary School as a P.E. teacher and coach, Charlie’s teams were well prepared, well coached, and inevitably tough. Many years Shannon Elementary had the best athletic teams in the city. He coached with fire and passion, and always wanted to make all his players not only better at their chosen sport, but better people in the community. As evidence of his ability as a principal, Charlie was named Acadiana Regional Principal of the year in 1978. An honor he was proud to have received.

Charlie retired in 1988 from the St. Mary Parish school system. He was active at different times during his retirement in the Knights of Columbus, the local AARP group, and the St. Mary and Louisiana Retired Teacher Associations. Being in his mid 50's at the time this allowed him many years of doing things he wanted to do, not what he had to do. Always a very good athlete, Charles played tennis and golf at a pretty competitive level until he was no longer able. Many times holding his own against players much younger than him. Charlie was also an avid L.S.U. and New Orleans Saints fan. He and his friend Jerry Listi always thought they could coach better than the actual people that were hired to do the job. But isn't that always the case.

At the end of his life, Charlie had many doctors and health care workers who worked diligently to prolong his eventful life. The family would like to recognize a few. In particular, they want to give a big shout out to his around the clock caregivers, Claudette, Gail, Tiffany, Casey, and Stephanie who made the end of his life as comfortable as possible. Also, special thanks to Journey Hospice for their caring expertise in his final days.

In closing, Charlie Arnie will be sorely missed by his wife Monica, his family (he loved those great grandchildren), and the community. He lived a long, exemplary, and fruitful life. May he rest in peace.

Visitation will be Tuesday, December 6, 2022 from 9:00 am until 11:00 am at Holy Cross Catholic Church. A Mass of Christian burial will begin at 11:00 am at Holy Cross Catholic Church.

Charles will be laid to rest in the Morgan City Cemetery.