Joseph O'Connell

Joe O’Connell was born on January 6, 1977 in Livingston New Jersey and died at Duke Hospital, Durham NC on November 11, 2009. Joe moved to Cary when he was 4 ½ years old and attended Henry Adams Elementary, East Cary Middle and Cardinal Gibbons High School. He graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in 1999.He was the class president at Cardinal Gibbons both his freshman and sophomore year and the School President his junior year. He was an honor student, Played varsity baseball and was the Captain of the Varsity Basketball team. Joe was the owner of the Roly Poly store in Cary. Joe always put his friends and family above himself. He seized the day and lived in the moment. He had undying love for his wife and family and was the most loyal friend. He loved a good gathering, and always willing to put one on. Especially if it involved an Eagles or UNC basketball/football game. Joe rarely said no, always willing to try something different and taste a new part of what life had to offer. This may have involved travel, concerts, sports events, camping, cooking, beach going, fishing, skiing, etc. He loved it all, and most of all, he loved who he did it with. He was fun to be around and he had a knack for elevating any situation. He had a contagious smile and his charismatic personality drew everyone to him. He was generous, charitable, kind and selfless. . A hero. Our “Rocky”. Our Best Friend. We will never forget his strength and courage. He fought the fight to the very end. He will always and forever be a part of us. We love ya Man! He is survived by his wife Kristy Hubbard O’Connell, His daughter Piper Rose O’Connell, his parents Harry and Elana O’Connell, His sister Katie O’Connell, His maternal grandmother Rose Battiato and Many Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and Friends. Services will be held on Monday, November 16, 2009 at 11:30 AM at St. Michael the Archangel Church, 804 High House Road, Cary, NC, 27513. Family will receive friends on Monday at 10 AM until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make donations to the following organizations.Camp Kaleidoscope. This is a camp that serves kids with serious illnesses. Checks should be made out to Camp Kaleidoscope and be mailed to Camp Kaleidoscope, Box 3417 Duke University Medical Center, Durham NC 27710; Community and Teaching Fund. This is a fund that supports adult CF patients and their families. Checks should be made out to Community and Teaching Fund and mailed to Dr. Peter Kussin, 3116 North Duke St, Entry #2 Durham ,NC 27704; NTAF South Atlantic Catastrophic injury fund. This is a fund that supports a dear friend of ours who suffered a spinal injury. Checks should be made out to NTAF (with in honor of Brian Keeter in the Memo section). Mailed to NTAF,150N Radnor Chester Rd. Suite f-120, Radnor PA 19087. Tributes may be sent to the family through www.brownwynne.com