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O'Connell III , Walter C.
Walter C. O'Connell III of Houston, Texas passed away on November 1, 2017 at the age of 64 after an extended illness. Walter (Skip, Wally or Radar - depending on when you met him!) was born in Ithaca, NY on June 23, 1953 to Mary Jean and Walter C. O'Connell, Jr. He attended Ithaca High School, graduated from Cornell University and received his MBA from UNC Chapel Hill. While at Cornell he was a member of Psi Upsilon fraternity.
Following graduation from Cornell he worked for a time in banking in Ithaca, starting as a Repo Man. This brief career stint ended after one too many dog chases and he headed west to ski and work for a year before returning east for graduate school. With his MBA in Finance in hand, he headed to Texas where he spent the next 30 years in financial management positions in the oil and gas industry.
An avid sportsman, Walter played football, hockey, and lacrosse at IHS. He continued lacrosse at Cornell and played in hockey leagues wherever he lived. Skiing and golf were lifelong passions. When his sons, Patrick and Brendan, were old enough to walk he introduced them to hockey and lacrosse and spent many years traveling thousands of miles from Houston for "away games". Although he lived in Texas he always managed a few weeks each year with his family on the slopes.
Walter is survived by his son Patrick O'Connell, grandson Coltin O'Connell and his ex-wife and forever best friend, Melinda O'Connell of Houston, Texas; sisters Mary Catherine O'Connell of Dunedin, Florida, and Michelle (Steven) Chaffee of Van Etten, New York; as well as nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles and friends too numerous to mention.
He was predeceased by his parents, his sister Julie, and his beloved son Brendan.
Walter loved his family, Ithaca, Ireland, Cornell University and the Houston Astros - in that order. Some of his fondest memories were of growing up in Ithaca with his large extended family of cousins and friends, and his personal and family connections to Ithaca and Cornell. Walter was a proud, handsome, brilliant, witty, complex and stubborn Irishman - much like the Walter O'Connell's who preceded him! His favorite vacation was spent visiting Ireland with his family.
Friends and family are invited to a luncheon in celebration of his life at the Country Club of Ithaca from 1:00 to 3:00 on Saturday, November 11, 2017.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a charity of your choice.
Interment will be private at the family's convenience.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by The Ithaca Journal.
Malinda, Patrick, and all the O'Connells sorry for your loss. The man with many names will be missed by all the Psi U bros. Go Big Red Hockey!
Mel Vine & Family
November 9, 2017
Skip was a Psi Upsilon brother in the 1970s and I remember him well for his wit, sense of humor and engaging personality.
Count me among the many, many that will miss him.
Joe Olin
November 9, 2017
So sorry for your loss. As you remember your beloved Walter, may God comfort you and give you peace in every way. He will give you the strength you need to help you through this difficult time. (2 Thessalonians 2:16,17)
November 7, 2017
Melinda and Patrick,
So sorry to learn of this. May God wrap His living arms around you and the family. Blessings, Carol McRae
November 7, 2017
Wally "Skip" O'Connell was a great friend, and fellow Psi Upsilon brother who enjoyed life to the fullest and had friends all over the Globe. He was the consummate Irishman and I will truly miss our time together at Cornell and his frequent visits to NYC. May he rest in peace. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family. Don and Kathie Lee
Donald Lee
November 7, 2017
Sorry for your and Cameron's loss. Please let us know if there is anything we can do for him...
The Guys at LG Networks
LG Networks
November 6, 2017
So sorry for your loss. Let us know if we can do anything.
The Venable Family
November 5, 2017
Melinda, Patrick: The day's of travel hockey with our families will always bring fond memories when thought of. The both of you are in our thoughts in these difficult days. May Walter rest in peace.
The Pittman family.
Mark Pittman
November 5, 2017
Melinda and Patrick and Walter's extended family our family offers our sincerest condolences. McCall Family
Tesaa McCall
November 5, 2017
Our deepest sympathy and love for the O'Connell Family in the passing of Patrick's Father and Colton's Grandfather. May the mercy of God's love help you thru the following days, weeks, months and years as memories fill your hearts. God Bless each of you,
John and Susan Giles
November 3, 2017
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