Charles Columcille McErlean

Charles "Charlie" Columcille McErlean. Died peacefully at his home in Dana Point, CA on December 22, 2025, surrounded by his loving family at age 95.

Charlie was born on May 28, 1930, in Clady, County Derry, Northern Ireland, the son of Teady and Alice McErlean. He was the 11th of 12 siblings and the sixth son in a large, spirited entrepreneurial family. From a young age, he participated in the various family businesses – establishing a strong work ethic that stayed with him throughout his life.

Though he was not an enthusiastic student at St Columb's boarding school, one childhood moment changed the course of his life was opening a geography textbook to a photograph of a young man in California picking an orange straight from a tree. That image of sunshine and abundance planted the dream of California in Charlie's heart.

As a young man, Charlie excelled in sports and was passionate about Gaelic football and rugby. A big lifetime achievement was playing in the Junior All-Ireland final with the Derry Gaelic team at Croke Park in Dublin in 1950 at age 20.

At a dance in Portstewart in the summer of 1947, Charlie met Enda McAuley. She stole his heart that night and he often said meeting Enda was the luckiest day of his life! As a young couple, they couldn't come straight to America as the Irish immigration quota was full, so they emigrated to Vancouver, Canada and married on September 4, 1954.

As a hardworking immigrant, he took any job to make ends meet while Enda worked as a legal secretary. When a job opportunity arose to drive a lorry for an oil company, they moved to remote Kitimat, British Columbia. Grit and optimism carried them through the cold as they built a nest egg. Savings in hand, they were finally able to fulfill the California dream and emigrate in 1957 – with Enda seven months pregnant. Daughter Maureen was born a few months later in Burbank. Ten years later, they moved to Arcadia, CA and welcomed their second daughter, Kathleen, in 1968.

Once in California, Charlie worked his way up as a top salesman at North Hollywood Glass, while Enda typed contracts for the stars in the legal department at Warner Brothers Studio. Ever the entrepreneurs, they decided to purchase their own business in 1964, Temple City Glass. They ran it together, delighting customers with their warmth and Irish charm. In 1979, they opened their second business, Glass & Mirror World, in El Toro, CA. At the same time, they built their ocean-view dream home in San Clemente, CA. After 36 years in the glass business, they retired in 2000 and enjoyed traveling the world: driving cross-country, taking cruises to Alaska, Hawaii, Caribbean, Panama Canal, South America, and their all-time favorite destination, the South Pacific. After Enda's Alzheimer's diagnosis, Charlie was her steadfast companion until her 2016 passing. Their 61 years together were filled with hard work, adventure and love.

Charlie was deeply spiritual, shaped by many decades in Alcoholics Anonymous. He believed in a higher power and endeavored to live with honesty, service, and growth – inspiring many others to find their own path to sobriety. Generous, open-hearted, friendly, always optimistic and charming, Charlie welcomed every person he met with kindness.

A devoted family man, Charlie was a beloved uncle to the sprawling McErlean clan. He cherished family reunions in Clady and attended many family weddings around the world. He was proud to be the longest living member of his family.

Charlie was preceded in death by his wife, Enda Teresa McErlean (2016); parents Teady and Alice McErlean; siblings Teague, Rosemary, Henry, Margaret, Barney, Bridget, Eoin, Paddy, Eileen, Theresa, and Maeve; and many dear nieces, nephews, and family. Surely the craic in heaven is mighty now!

He is survived by daughter Maureen Trimble (Alan) of Laguna Niguel, CA, granddaughter Alexis Trimble, grandson Joseph Trimble (Kari) and great-grandsons Derek and Damon; daughter Kathleen Boltiansky (Claudio) of Pacific Palisades, CA, and grandchildren Carolina and Brian; sisters-in-law Eileen McErlean of Cookstown, Northern Ireland, and Mary McErlean of Dublin, Ireland; and dozens and dozens and dozens of nieces and nephews across the McErlean and McAuley clans – many of whom visited sunny California over the years.

Funeral Mass will be held on January 20th @ 1:30pm Mission San Luis Rey de Francia – Oceanside, CA graveside service to follow. Celebration of Life 4pm, The Ivy @ Sea Bluffs in the Wilson Room - 25411 Sea Bluffs Drive, Dana Point, CA 92629.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the San Clemente Friendship Center appreciated https://sc-fc.org/charlie