Charles O'Connell

Charles Brandt O’Connell, age 78, of Long Beach, MS, passed away on Wednesday, August 25, 2021, in Gulfport, MS.

Mr. O’Connell was a native of Minneapolis, MN and a longtime resident of Long Beach.  He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1961 at the age of 18. After serving 4 years in the Marines, Charles enlisted into the U.S. Navy Seabees and served for 26 years before retiring as a Command Master Chief of the 20th Naval Construction Regiment.

After retiring from the U.S. Navy Seabees, he worked for 8 years at Stennis Space Center with Johnson Controls.

Through his distinguished career, he received the following: 2nd National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, 6th Good Conduct Medal, 2nd Navy Unit Commendation, 2nd Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation, Rifle Expert Pistol Sharpshooter, 3rd Naval Battalion “E” Ribbon, 2nd Humanitarian Service Medal, Army Achievement Medal, 2nd Navy Commendation Medal, 7th Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, 2nd Meritorious Unit Commendation, Republic Vietnam Campaign Medal, Republic Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, Republic Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation, Seabee Combat Warfare Specialist Qualified, and the Meritorious Service Medal.

Mr. O’Connell was preceded in death by his father, Charles Payne O’Connell; his mother, Lucia Brandt O’Connell; his son, Todd Frizzell; and his grandson, Michael Pittman.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Lucienne O’Connell of Long Beach; his children, Crystal Hossley, Cathy O’Connell, Brian O’Connell, Patrick Frizzell, Bessie Frizzell-Schuhr and Jennifer O’Connell; his brother, Michael O’Connell; and his 15 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank everyone for the outpouring of love during this difficult time.

Friends are invited to join the O'Connell family for visitation and services on Thursday, September 2nd at Riemann Family Funeral Home, 19130 Commission Road, Long Beach, MS. Visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m., with the Prayer Service to follow at 11 a.m. in the funeral home chapel.  Interment will follow with full military honors at Biloxi National Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in honor of our dad to the Seabee Memorial Scholarship Association. Dad never stopped reading and learning. We know he would love to help others further their education.

Riemann Family Funeral Home, Long Beach is serving the family. The online guestbook may be signed, and memories shared at www.riemannfamily.com