Chuck’s beautiful little girl Delaney refers to me as “Big Sally”.  I know chuck had something to do with that.  in light of my nickname, I would like to take this opportunity to put an end to the rumor that gave my wife Susan some concern………I am not now, nor have I ever been Chuck’s girlfriend……I know Katy & Kelley O’Connor had something to do that.  I do love him very much though.

It is wonderful to hear laughter tonight……because if you knew Chuck for 5 minutes or five years you knew he had a gift.  The gift of making you feel at ease, the gift of making you laugh.  Whether you were the target of his wit….and I was a very easy target…or Chuck simply poking fun at himself…you couldn’t help it…you smiled, you laughed…..even if it was at your own expense.

I have no idea what his phone bill was like but we all know Chuck delighted in calling you when you least expected it….he always called to tell you how much fun he was having.  He called everybody.  When he called, you didn’t know if he was across the street, across the country or across the world.  We would speak about the milestones of our daughters.  I would call him to tell him that Ally my four year old could count to one hundred.  Chuck would tell me Delaney could count to one thousand.  I would call to say Ally was driving my car.  He would say Delaney was flying his plane.  It was a daddy thing.  He particularly enjoyed calling to tell me that he was flying a kite with Delaney, at the beach with Delaney, listening to Jimmy Buffet with Delaney, riding a bike with Delaney, playing golf with Delaney, at the pool with Delaney….you see the pattern don’t you?  Chuck’s every call always involved Delaney……He was so proud of you….your dad loved you very, very much.

I would like to share with you a couple of things you probably didn’t know about Chuck.  Chuck owned more shoes than any ten women I know.  The man loved shoes…..who knew?  Chuck also had a golf swing that was unlike anything you ever witnessed unless you appreciated Babe Ruth.  At the tee he would address the ball by taking the driver and pointing it down the fairway as if he was calling his shot……then he would swing a mighty swing…sometimes the ball would go a great distance……..sometimes not.  I now know it never really was about golf, it was about the camaraderie, of being under the blue sky with your friends, grass under your feet, sun on your face…smoking a fine cigar….…and sharing your dreams………laughing…..I can see that now.

Chuck never wore his heart on his sleeve like I do.  He was more the John Wayne type like his father.  Chuck O’Connor worshipped his father.

Chuck’s mom Jana, well…….he loved you more than you’ll ever know.  Sometimes you had to find the meaning between his words.  But it was there. 

Katy & Kelley O’Connor, Chuck admired you both so much.  I am sure you didn’t see it.  He just had a hard time with you both being smarter than he was.

I spoke to many of you the day I was with him at the hospital.  You asked me to be sure to tell him that you loved him.  I held him and kissed him, I told him just that……that we all loved him, and that we would all see him on the other side.  I know he heard me.

Chuck lives with us now, in this very moment, with our gathering to share smiles, laughter and yes even tears. 

In May of 99 I lost my kid brother….in April of this year I lost another. 

My dearest trusted loyal friend Charles O’Connor…..who never judged me….never failed me. 

He was one of the good guys…..I will never forget him.

Al Lopez, May 15, 2007