Where ever a beautiful soul has been, there is a beautiful trail of memories.

 

Ecclesiastes 3:1 To everything there is a season and a time, for every purpose under the heaven.

 

A time to be born…

 

Charles Herbert MacConnell began his trail on September, 14 1931 in the little town of Vero Beach Florida, His parents Alan & Ruth MacConnell welcomed him with loving arms.

 

A time to learn and a time to work…

 

Charles was an inquisitive and mischievous little boy who kept his Mom on her toes. He received his early education at Vero Beach Elementary- Vero Beach High School 1935-1949 and then continued on to the University Of Florida and finally he finished his education at General Motors Institute (GMI) now known as Kettering University. He graduated GMI with a Bachelor in Engineering degree in 1955. His formal education was complete but he was always learning and creating. Charlies’ master mind was put to good use as a industrial Engineer with GMC at the Detroit Forge Plant 1950-1980

 

A time for war…

 

Charles loved to help, learn and contribute to whatever was going on in his community/county. It all started in May 1945 at the age of 14 when he would join his dad at the Naval Air Station to be “his eyes” as a spotter in WWII, he and his dad would be picked up by the military and spend the night at the spotting tower on the beach.

 

He was a proud veteran serving at Fort Rucker Alabama for 33 weeks, there he served as a 282.10 radar repairman and a 5-92.61 radar equipment foreman.

 

He was also a proud member of the American sons of the revelation

 

A time to sow…

 

Charles enjoyed the adventures and skills that came with being a Boy Scout Of America and Order Of The Arrow. He was also a part of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity, The Key Club and 4-H Club. He was proud to win the American Home Week Pride award in 1988 for the beautiful restoration of his family home/property and was also honored to receive the volunteer of the year appreciation award with the Indian River Historical Society 1987-1988.

 

A time for joy and a time to love.…

 

Charlies happiest times were spent outdoors, even as a child he dreamed of becoming a deep sea diver. He never missed an opportunity  to stop and play in the canal on his way home from school. He loved to camp on the beach and ride his beach buggy. Sunday afternoons were spent with his dad fishing or beach combing. During his time in Michigan he lived for the month of June every year, when he could come to Florida with his family for vacation. His mom would cook all his favorite meals and have them over for dinner every night. Days were spent at the beach with the kids.

His favorite thing to do while living in Michigan was hunting and long walks in the woods.

 

In 1978 when Charles started to think about retiring he realized that Vero Beach had grown and he could no longer enjoy the beach the way he did as a boy, His cousins Jay and David had told him about Eleuthera, a peaceful unspoiled island in The Bahamas. He visited, fell in love with the island of freedom and there he built “Sea Cliff” his dream home, 82 feet above the crystal clear water. He was able to enjoy the secluded beaches, clear water and his love of diving and fishing. Another of his favorite things was building a fire on the beach and roasting hotdogs and marshmallows; a joy he would later share with his children and grand-children. He also enjoyed many fun times on the island when his nephew Mike would come to visit. His first friends on the island were the Thompson family, they would cook him delicious meals and treated him like family. They affectionally called him “Mr. Charlie”. How could life get any better? He was about to find out. Soon Mr. Charlie met and fell in love with his island girl Elizabeth (Ann). He said (and I quote) ” I’ve finally found the love of my life” they had so much in common and over the  past 14 years they were rarely apart. They found much joy in each other’s company. Charlie had the best of 2 worlds for over 40 years, living between his island paradise in Eleuthera and his hometown of Vero Beach.

 

A time to cast away…

 

In 2018, Charlie  sold his home in Eleuthera and returned to Vero Beach to live year round. A move that he was only able to enjoy for less than a year.

 

A time to embrace…

 

Charlie always loved spending time with his family and friends, the Sullivan’s big get togethers meant so much to him and he looked forward to it every year. He enjoyed meals and time spent with his Sister, children and grand-children in Vero Beach and visits from the children and grand-children from out of town and overseas. The little great-grands made him laugh and he always had a joke to share to make the rest of us laugh.

 

A time to die…

 

We have lost a very special person, a GIANT of a man who was loved and admired by many. A wise man once said don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened. So, as we move on with our lives we will continue to smile as we remember all the joy Charles Herbert MacConnell brought to our lives.

 

 

A time to mourn…

 

He was predeceased by his parents Alan and Ruth MacConnell, and his father in law Everett Griffin

 

Precious Memories will forever live in the hearts of

His wife of 28 years Elizabeth Ann MacConnell

His sister and brother in law Henrietta and Charles Sullivan.

Mother in law: Norma Griffin

Children: Thomas MacConnell, Grandchildren: Chad & Emily, Jessie and great grandson Riley Putin

Mary & Richard DeGroot,  Grandchildren Nicholas & Lisa, great grand children  Kate, Nicholas, Penny, Lucy and Cora. Grandchildren: Amanda & Ben Graham and great grandsons: Koal, Creek and Lakin

Kevin MacConnell,

Kim MacConnell, grandchildren: Heather, Hailey and Shawn

Kristy & Randy Pulficer, grand children: Amanda, Shelby and Emily

Chrystal & Mark Stubbs and grandsons: Mark Anthony and Christopher

Charlene Cartwright and Joe Lochetto

Sister in law Sherry & Andy Roberts and brother in law John Griffin.

Nieces and nephews, Charles Sullivan Jr & Stephanie, Mike & Kellie, Patty, Kathy, Andrew & Chelsie, Taylor, Scott & Sade.

7 great nieces, 4 great nephews and 1 great great niece. His cousins Midge, Marsha, David and Doris.

The Thompson family and other members of  the community of Gregory Town Eleuthera, Family and friends of the community of Current Eleuthera and  other friends and family that are too many to mention, and his friends in Vero Beach,Carl, Edward, Ruth Mary Lou and Alma Lee

May his soul forever Rest In Peace, May he soar with the eagles and watch over those left behind, until we meet again.

 

Online condolences may be shared at www.millenniumcremationservice.com