Philip R. O'Connell

Philip Raymond O'Connell, a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather, died peacefully on January 26, 2009 at the age of 80 in Naples. Phil was born in Woodside, Queens, NY, son of Michael J. and Ann Blaney O'Connell. He was married to Joyce McCabe O'Connell, originally of New York City, who survives him after 51 years of marriage. Phil graduated from Bishop Loughlin High School in Brooklyn, earned an undergraduate degree from Manhattan College, a juris doctor degree from Columbia Law School, and completed the advanced management program at the Harvard Business School.
Phil was a proud veteran of the United States Navy, interrupting his studies at Columbia Law to serve in the Atlantic and Pacific fleets during the Korean War. He devoted 39 months to serving his country, principally as the executive officer on the USS Chilton and USS LST-883.
After returning to civilian life from his service in the Navy, Phil graduated from Columbia Law and joined the New York City firm of Dewey, Ballantine, Bushby, Palmer & Wood where he practiced for several years before moving into executive roles in the business world. Phil was an expert in corporate governance and held many titles in his career before retiring in 1990 as senior vice president and corporate secretary of Champion International in Stamford, CT. His achievements during his law career include being admitted to the Bar of the Supreme Court of the United States, serving as a member of the NYSE Legal Advisory Board and long time service as a member of the board of directors and chairman of the American Society of Corporate Secretaries.
In addition to his record of business success, academic achievement and service to the country he loved, Phil was a champion runner in high school, college and master's competitions. Among his many honors, he was a member of Manhattan's Penn Relays championship teams in the distance medley and four mile relays. Phil also ran on two national AAU championship two mile relay teams and an IC4A cross-country championship team for Manhattan. For his achievements on and off the track as a Jasper, he was inducted into the Manhattan College Hall of Fame in 2000.
Running competitively as a master, Phil won championships at distances from 100 meters to 800 meters at the Connecticut and Rhode Island Senior Olympics. He also finished third in the 400 meters at the U.S. National Masters Championships in 1999.
Phil is survived by his wife, Joyce; son, Michael O'Connell and his wife, Mindy of Dallas, TX; daughter, Kathleen Peloso and her husband, Raymond of Fairfield, CT; daughter, Jennifer McCormick of Newark, DE; and son, David O'Connell and his wife, Lauria of Lincolnville, ME; as well as his 11 grandchildren, Sam and Charlotte O'Connell, Meredith, Maddie and Caleigh Peloso, Kathleen, Matthew, Megan and Riley McCormick and Grace and Aidan O'Connell.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, January 31, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Luke's Church in Westport, CT. Interment with military honors will follow in Assumption Cemetery, Greens Farms.
In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in Phil's name to the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes, Two Church Street, Suite 101, Ossining NY 10562 or at http://www.saluteheroes.org/ways-to-give.html.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Spear-Miller Funeral Home, 39 South Benson Road, Fairfield.
To offer an online condolence please visit www.SpearMillerFuneralHome.com.