Clarence H. "Chuck" O'Connell

Longtime Dover Resident, Lover of the Ocean
" I must go down to the sea again, for the call of the running tide..." John Masefield
On December 24, Clarence "Chuck" O'Connell, 99, passed away due to complications of Covid. Chuck grew up throughout the Great Depression with an Irish family of 5 from the Boston area. He loved the ocean, particularly Ogunquit and York Beaches, and often recited this Masefield poem. He joined the Coast Guard as a young man and served during World War II, receiving commendations for bravery. After his service, he enrolled at the North Bennet School in Boston, graduating as a professional engraver, and watchmaker.
After meeting and marrying his wife, Mary (Stamnas) O'Connell, Chuck worked as a jeweler and watchmaker in Boston and Portland, Maine, subsequently moving to NH to be near his wife's family. He worked at General Electric in Somersworth, NH in the quality assurance department for 36 years, operating a watch repair business from his home. Chuck enjoyed traveling the world with his wife Mary, swimming and sunning at the beach, metal-detecting, fishing, taking exploratory daytrips in New England, and reading.
He is survived by his two children, Christopher O'Connell and Elizabeth O'Connell, grandchildren Alexander, Kristen (O'Connell) Bittle, Selena and Zachary Millard, and great- grandchild Tyler Bittle, as well as many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his wife Mary, his brothers Jim, Joe, and John OConnell, his sisters, Christine and Alice, and his daughter Dorothea. A celebration of life gathering is planned for spring.
Chuck's family is deeply grateful for the caring attention of his neighbors at Park Street, the Senior Transportation program, and the dedicated, kind care of the staff at the Pinnacle Rehab and Nursing. During the lonely years of Covid, he was cheerfully visited several times a week at home by Meals on Wheels from Somersworth. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in his memory to the Meals on Wheels services for seniors.