Retired Boston Police Officer Charles J. "Charlie" McNeil, a lifelong resident of Charlestown, entered into eternal life on Monday May 19, 2025 at the Massachusetts General Hospital. He was 96 years of age.
Charlie was born in Boston, a son of the late Charles J. McNeil and Margaret "Bea" (Wilson) McNeil. He grew up in Charlestown where he attended St. Mary's Parochial School and graduated from Charlestown High School in 1946. Charlie enlisted into the United States Marine Corps on March 14, 1946, and served with honor and courage during WWII and the Korean Conflict. He was honorably discharged on June 23, 1951, with the rank of Private First Class. He began his career working as a truck driver as a member of the Teamsters Local #25. Charlie was appointed to the Boston Police Department on July 8, 1963, and worked as a Patrolman for the City of Boston for 30 years. He retired on January 31, 1993. Charlie enjoyed going to casinos and out to lunch with family and friends. He had a great sense of humor and could tell a good joke. He was an avid reader whose mind never diminished. He attributed his longevity to exercising. He could do chin ups into his 70s, and was doing push-ups and crunches, as well as lifting weights into his 90s. Most of all, Charlie enjoyed spending time with his family. He was a member of the Halligan Club of Charlestown.
Charlie is the beloved husband of the late Dorothy A. "Dot" (Hanlon) McNeil. He is the devoted father of Charlene Poliskey and her husband Jerry, Joan Swift and her husband Tim, Paula McEwen and her husband Kevin, Charles McNeil, and the late Stephen C. McNeil. He is the loving Grandpa to Chet and his wife Gina, Jaimo, Kelly and her late fiancé Josh, Shawn, Jonathan, Michael and his wife Lindsay, Lois and her husband Chris, Kaitlyn, Pauline, Brighid, Niamh, Matthew, the late Declan and Pa Charlie to his great-grandchildren Ashlee, Sorcha, Giuliana, Sharleigh, Hanna, Oliver, Anderson, Adaline, and Eleanor. He is the dear brother of the late Margaret Wilson, Bernice “Neice” Honeycutt, Robert F. McNeil, Carol “Bunny” McCormick, and Kenneth McNeil. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Charlie’s visiting hours on Friday morning, May 23, 2025, in The Carr Funeral Home, 220 Bunker Hill St. Charlestown from 10 A.M. to 11:30 A.M. followed by his Funeral Mass at 12 Noon in St. Francis De Sales Church, 313 Bunker Hill St. Charlestown. His burial will be at Wildwood Cemetery in Wilmington.
In lieu of flowers, kindly make a memorial donation in Charlie’s name to:
Charlestown Boys and Girls Club
15 Green St.
Charlestown, MA 02129
And/or
United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation
8085 Saltsburg Road, Suite 201
Pittsburgh, PA 15239
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