Charles Stephan Bargiel

Date of Birth

August 20, 1947

Date of Death

July 20, 2024

City of Death

Santa Barbara, CA

Charles Stephan Bargiel (“Chuck”) died peacefully at home July 20, 2024, surrounded by family in Santa Barbara, CA, at the age of 76.

Chuck was born on the torridly humid morning of August 20, 1947, in Chicago, IL, to John Stanley Bargiel and Glennie Pauline Counard Bargiel. The youngest of three children, Chuck was raised in Chicago and was baptized and raised in the Roman Catholic tradition. He attended Holy Innocents Grammar School (taught by the Felician Sisters) and Holy Trinity High School (taught by the Brothers of Holy Cross).

Thereafter, Chuck attended the University of Illinois at Chicago, graduating in June 1969 with a bachelor’s degree in English. In September 1971, Chuck entered the John Marshall Law School, where he served as the editor in chief of the law review and from which he was graduated second in his class. For two years, starting in September 1974, Chuck clerked for the Honorable George N. Leighton, first at the Illinois Court of Appeals in Illinois’s First District and then at the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

In January 1970, Chuck married Isobel McNellis of Seattle, WA, and they moved to Deerfield, IL. While Chuck was clerking in Chicago, two sons were born: Brian David was born in November 1974, and John Patrick was born in February 1976. Chuck and Isobel had visited Santa Barbara, CA, on vacation in 1972 and vowed to make their life there, so they relocated in September 1976. Chuck took a job as the newest associate at the then law firm of Cavalletto, Webster, Mullen & McCaughey, now Mullen & Henzell.

During his 35-year law career in Santa Barbara, Chuck became known as a gregarious, sharp-witted, and highly capable civil litigator. Both clients and adversaries often became longtime friends and included some of Santa Barbara’s most prominent entrepreneurs, real estate investors, and developers.

Chuck is survived by his brothers Paul Bargiel of Glen Ellyn, IL (Olga), and Thomas Bargiel of St. Charles, IL (Karen), his sons Brian and John, his daughters-in-law Andria and Daniela, and his grandchildren Oliver, Ruby, and Ember.

Chuck lived a long and blessed life, being grateful for every day for the gift that it was. He remained especially grateful to the program of Alcoholics Anonymous, a fellowship he entered into in 1995, remaining sober until the end of his life.

There will be a celebration of Chuck’s life on Saturday, September 28, 2024 at 10:00 am at Unity Church of Santa Barbara, located at 227 E Arrellaga St, with parking available off Valerio St. There will be a reception to follow. Chuck would say, “only if you wanna” and “whatever works best for you”.

In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to Alcoholics Anonymous Central Office at 14 W. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101 or by visiting their website at santabarbaraaa.com, or VNA Health at 509 E. Montecito St., Suite 200, Santa Barbara, CA 93103 or by visiting their website at vna.health.

Be sure to have some fun today.

Login

Please note this login is to submit events or press releases. Use this page here to login for your Independent subscription

Not a member? Sign up here.