Charles H. McInerney Sr., detective

Charles H. McInerney Sr., 78, of Lafayette Hill, a plain-clothes homicide detective with the Philadelphia Police Department whose imposing stature belied a tender heart, died Saturday of heart failure at Bryn Mawr Hospital.

After retiring from the force in 1982 after 20 years, Mr. McInerney remained in law enforcement. In 1990, he was one of the first investigators hired by the city's parent-locator unit of Family Court to track down those owing child support. He used his own car, gas, insurance and weapons on the job and was paid $50 for each parent who paid up.

Mr. McInerney also was the driver and bodyguard for Pennsylvania Supreme Court Chief Justice Ronald D. Castille.

"Chuck was a stand-up guy. When you needed him, he would be there for you," Castille said yesterday. "Chuck drove me in several political campaigns. He was great company, especially during the statewide race for Supreme Court - all those rides through the deep, dark woods of northern Pennsylvania. Our friendship endured despite very busy lives. I will sorely miss Chuck, and I will sorely miss his Irish wit."

Raised in Chestnut Hill, Mr. McInerney graduated from Roman Catholic High School in 1947. He joined the Air Force and investigated aircraft accidents at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska during the Korean War.

Mr. McInerney married Marcella Ronan in 1957, and they raised four children in Wynnefield.

"Family was everything to him," said daughter Anne O'Connell. "He kept cards, children's drawings and pictures we gave him for the past 50 years. They are organized in a file."

At 6 feet, 225 pounds, the "gentle giant" loved to play golf.

"He played golf every day there was not snow," daughter Meg Purtill said. "He liked to wear crazy plaid, coral or lime-green golf pants. He even asked me to change the time of my wedding so he could get in a round of golf."

Mr. McInerney moved to Lafayette Hill after his wife died in 1992. He continued to play golf for the rest of his life and was on the board of the Sandy Run Country Club.

For the last five years, Mr. McInerney was the hall monitor at Springfield High School, Montgomery County.

"The kids loved him," said daughter Sharon Ronan McInerney. "When he was in the hospital, the football team brought him a get-well, signed football and the special-ed kids made a banner with a picture of each of them."

Mr. McInerney was a founding member of the Philadelphia Emerald Society and commander of VFW Post 7919.

In addition to his three daughters, Mr. McInerney is survived by a son, Charles Jr.; eight grandchildren; one brother; and one sister.

Friends may visit at 9 a.m. tomorrow at St. Matthias Church, 128 Bryn Mawr Ave., Bala Cynwyd. A Funeral Mass will be said at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.

Donations may be sent to the Police Athletic League, 2524 E. Clearfield St., Philadelphia 19134.