O'Neil, Charles

Mr. Charles O'Neil, 71, formerly of Cedar Rapids, died Saturday, Aug. 22, 2009, in his home in Old Chatham, N.Y., following a courageous battle with cancer.

Born on Oct. 13, 1937, in Great Barrington, Mass., he was the son of Terrence Patrick O'Neil and Esther Springstube. He attended the former Housatonic Grammar School and the former Searles High School in Great Barrington, Mass.

In 2008, Charles retired from Tri-State Machine in Lebanon, N.Y., where he worked as a machine operator. Previously he worked as a service technician at Clark Aiken in Lee, Mass., for 15 years. He then became a special officer for the Great Barrington Police Department from 1962 to 1975 and worked as a deputy sheriff in Berkshire County from 1965 to 1975. During the early 1970s, he owned and operated Berkshire Feed and Grain in Great Barrington.

In 1976, Charles moved to Iowa where he worked as a machinist for Cherry Burrell International Paper Co. in Cedar Rapids for 18 years. While in Cedar Rapids, Charles was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church where he served on the board of directors.

Following his retirement in 1994, Charles and his wife returned to Old Chatham in February 1994. He enjoyed woodworking and was a registered professional dog trainer specializing in property and personal protection, search and seizure and basic canine training.

Charles attended Trinity Lutheran Church in Great Barrington and Sheffield, Mass., and was a former member of the Housatonic Congregational Church.

Charles married his wife, the former Linda Peters, on Oct. 16, 1976, in Monticello, Iowa. Over the years the couple cared for 32 foster children. Each one was cared for, loved and thought of as their children in their hearts. They watched as their children had their own families, and Charles and Linda loved to see the families grow to include 17 foster grandchildren, three sons-in-law and three daughters-in-law.

He is survived by his wife of 32 years, the former Linda Peters. He leaves three sons, Bret O'Neil of South Carolina, John “Terry” O'Neil and his wife Dawn of Sheffield, Mass., and Michael O'Neil of Great Barrington, Mass.; and his grandson, Logan O'Neil.

Also surviving are many foster children, Diep Trinh, Chau Tang, Tien Trinh, Hung Nguyen, Hiep (Henry) Lam, Hai Lam and Hoang (Michael) Lam and their spouses, Xuan Truong, Hieu Trinh, Tri Ngo, Phuong Lam, Tisha Hang Lam and Hak Yin Srey, as well as 17 foster grandchildren.

He is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Patricia Kronen and her husband the Rev. William Kronen of Alberta, Canada, and Elizabeth Wells and her husband John Wells of North Egremont, Mass.; brother-in-law, John Peters of Great Barrington, Mass.; nieces and nephews, Donna Kronen, Dennis Ralf, Susan Kronen, Kelly Irving, Karin Kronen, Tim Finnigan, Bill Kronen, Mariela Kronen, Matthew Kronen, John Wells, Becky Wells, Robert Wells, Beth Wells and Tosha Wells-Rowberry; and many great-nieces and nephews.

Charles was predeceased by his foster son, Sao Srey in March 2007; and by his nephew, CWO Stephen Wells in February 2004.

A memorial service celebrating the life of Charles O'Neil will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home in Great Barrington, conducted by the Rev. Bob Isaken. Burial will follow at Hillside Cemetery in Egremont. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until services Friday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Community Hospice of Columbia/Greene through Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230.

Remembrances, memories and reflections may be sent to the family through