Charles Edward O'Donnell
Nov. 7, 1930-Sept. 10, 2012
Sebastopol, California
11/7/1930 ? 9/10/2012
Charles O?Donnell passed away peacefully amongst family at his Sebastopol ranch. Diagnosed with stomach cancer shortly after his wife Joan died last September, he opted against treatment so he could more fully enjoy his last days with his family and friends. ]
Charles was born in San Francisco. He and his four siblings were raised by their maternal family on Vallejo Street in North Beach. His mother, Hazel Devenzenzi Weiss, was the daughter of Angelo Devenzenzi, co-founder of the Sunset Scavenger Company.
After attending Salesian High School, Charles enlisted in the Marines, and when he returned from military service, took a job at Grant Market on Market Street. There he met Joan. They married and moved to South San Francisco where they lived for nearly a decade.
In 1963, Charles accepted a manager?s position at Draeger?s Super Market and Charles and Joan moved to Menlo Park. Both Charles and Joan enjoyed coaching at St. Raymond School. Joan was the P.E. teacher and Charles became the Athletic Director and 8th Grade basketball coach. He also served as Chairman of the Menlo Park Recreation Commission and refereed both high school and college basketball games. In 1987, Charles accepted an offer from his close friend Robert Bogado to manage at the Tides Resort in Bodega Bay. Charles and Joan then moved to their horse ranch in Sebastopol where they raised and showed Tennessee Walkers. While working at the Tides, Charles became the local radio personality known as "Captain Charlie." Each morning he reported the weather and made recommendations on fresh fish coming in from dock.
After retirement, Charles volunteered as a CYO basketball coach. Charles and Joan were also foster parents for several retired Guide Dogs for the blind, and enjoyed a very special relationship with local feral cats, turkeys, raccoons and skunks. Charles leaves behind his son Matthew, daughter-in-law Ellia, three grandsons (Kellan, Aidan and Brennan), step-daughter Ann Leishman, step-granddaughter Sara (Barbeau) Reuter and step-great granddaughter Emma Reuter.
The family thanks Steve Einstein R.N., Andrew Wagner M.D., and the staff at Memorial Hospice.
Charles will be remembered for his generosity, sense of humor (including what some affectionately call "Charlie-isms"), dry wit and devotion to his family and community. A private memorial gathering will be scheduled at a later date.
The family requests that donations in memory of Charles be made to the Ceres Community Project of Sebastopol.
Tags: veteran
