Charles Gerard Sweeney

Charles Gerard Sweeney, age 88, died Monday, November 9, 2015. He was born June 17, 1927 in Brooklyn, NY to the late Charles and Emma (Bolton) Sweeney. Charlie was also preceded in death by daughter, Regina Sweeney who died May 3, 1973; and brother, Alfred Sweeney (d. 1991) of Old Bridge, New Jersey. He is survived by his wife, Joan (nee Bedell) Sweeney; children, Joan Sweeney Dentler (husband Eric Dentler), Charles G. Sweeney Jr., Jennifer Sweeney (husband Mark Dopler), and James Sweeney; grandchildren, Quinn Sweeney Dentler, Charles Robert Dentler, Mark Hayden Dopler, and Emma Rose Dopler; and niece, Mary Sweeney of Rock Hill, South Carolina. Charlie graduated from Boys High School, Brooklyn; Brooklyn College with a BA in Economics; and New York University with an MBA. He was a WWII US Army Veteran. Charlie retired from Borden Foods Corp. in 1993 as a financial analyst; in retirement worked as a greeter and cashier at K-Mart in Reynoldsburg, and worked for Franklin County Board of Elections. He was a member of the American Legion and National Association of Accountants. He served as catechist and reader at Church of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, and Mt. Carmel East Hospital Chapel. Charlie always had an amazing Irish sensibility and good humor; quick with a dumb joke, riddle or song-- favorite was Danny Boy and anything by Roger Whittaker, John Denver, Nat King Cole or the Irish Tenors. Charlie was born in the historic summer of 1927--when Lindberg flew from Paris to New York, Babe Ruth hit 60 home runs, Jack Dempsey lost the "long count" to Gene Tunney, Calvin Coolidge announced he would not seek a second term, and "The Jazz Singer" was released. Legend has it, at the time of Charlie's birth, his mother Emma watched from the hospital's delivery room as "Lucky Lindy" paraded the streets of Brooklyn. Charlie loved poetry, music, following the stock market, doing puzzles, card tricks, math problems, Suduko, traveling with church groups to Europe, and Alaskan cruises. Charlie always found time to take long walks alone or with a family member's dog; he would shovel neighbors' driveways well into his 80s. He enjoyed trips to San Francisco to visit his daughter's family. Charlie loved all sports and stayed active playing with kids and grandkids into his 80s. He loved the analytical, statistical side of sports as well--especially baseball---he could call a play or position change even before the announcer or the coach. After moving from New York to Columbus in the 1970s, Charlie missed the old fashioned games he loved as a kid in Brooklyn, so he organized a stick ball game on the streets of downtown Columbus. Charlie will be remembered as a man of faith, good will and great love of his family. Friends may call 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Friday, November 13 at the SCHOEDINGER NORTHEAST CHAPEL 1051 E. Johnstown Rd. Gahanna. Funeral Mass will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, November 14 at Mother Angeline McCrory Manor Chapel, 5199 E. Broad St., Columbus. Fr. James Ogurchock celebrant. Entombment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, 6440 S. High St., Lockbourne, OH. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Charlie's memory may be made to Church of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, 5225 Refugee Rd., Columbus, OH 43232 or Mother Angeline McCrory Manor. The Sweeney family would like to thank the clergy and staff at Mother Angeline McCrory for their care, love, support, and friendship during Charlie's time there.