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Howard O'CONNELL Obituary
O'CONNELL, Howard T.
Howard T. O'Connell Sr., 97, of Glastonbury, passed away on Thursday (June 9, 2011). He was the beloved husband of Barbara (Farrell) O'Connell for 66 years. Howard was born Feb. 17, 1914, in Bristol to the late Jeremiah and Mary (Bresnahan) O'Connell and was raised in Hartford. A lifelong music lover, he studied vocal performance at the Juilliard School in New York City and at the Hartt School of Music. He was a founder of the University of Hartford's Alumni Association and served as its president for five years. In 1964 he was named Alumnus of the Year by the University of Hartford and the Hartt School. Howard performed as a vocalist at many prominent venues, including New York City's Carnegie Hall, Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, and Riverside Church, and directed and sang in countless choirs and other vocal groups throughout his life. Howard worked tirelessly to support his wife and nine children. He was a music teacher in the Hartford Public School System for 25 years, ran a private vocal-training studio, distributed the Hartford Times, and, along with his late brother, J. Benedict O'Connell, managed O'Connell Real Estate in Glastonbury for several years. Later in life he worked for the State of Connecticut Department of Social Services. Howard was a founding member and Trustee of St. Dunstan Church in Glastonbury and served faithfully as a lector, cantor and choir member. Since moving to Glastonbury 60 years ago, he took an active interest in the development of the town and was a proponent of affordable housing and preserving open land. In addition to singing, he enjoyed golf, gardening, word puzzles, storytelling and rooting for the Boston Red Sox. Howard will be remembered for his unmatched wit and his loving devotion to his family. Besides his cherished wife, he is survived by his children Howard (Darlene) O'Connell of Glastonbury; Kathleen (Kevin) Murphy of Vernon; Mary (Gary) Pouliot of Hebron; Margaret (Jim) Collenberg of Great Falls, VA; David (Gwen) O'Connell of Davenport, IA; Ellen (Ken) Nosal of East Hampton; James (Beth) O'Connell of Glastonbury; and Peter (Ginger) O'Connell of Manchester. Howard also leaves 16 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his daughter Anne Louise O'Connell.
His family will receive relatives and friends at the Farley-Sullivan Funeral Home, 50 Naubuc Ave., Glastonbury, on Sunday, June 12, from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12 p.m. on Monday, June 13, at St. Dunstan Church, 1345 Manchester Rd., Glastonbury. Burial will follow at St. Augustine Cemetery, Hopewell Rd., South Glastonbury. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Howard's name may be made to St. Dunstan Church or to Catholic Charities, 839-841 Asylum Ave. Hartford, CT 06105-2801.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Howard O'CONNELL
Maureen (Murray) Martowska
November 15, 2011
Howard was a a wonderful man, a supportive husband, a terrific father, and an amazingly talented and positive individual. He was intelligent, charming, witty, kind, and a proud Irishman!l He was my great uncle, my grandmother's (Madeline Murray's) brother. He always shared with me and my family the wonderful tales of his youth with his many siblings, but of course I loved to hear about the person my grandmother was. He gave us introspection into those we loved who we never knew in their youth. His mind was sharp until the very end - still recalling the birth of my father and he would reiterate the event with such clarity as if it happened yesterday! In his passing, Howard has given all of us such a wonderful role model. Over the last couple of years, I and my two sisters, Karen and Kathleen, would stop in to visit him and Barbara. We had rekindled a relationship that was somewhat lost due to the demands of family. Still, we picked up as if the years between us had just melted away. He was not timid in singing "O sole mio." Howard taught all of us how to live a good life, one filled with the joy of music, the laughter of family, and the strength of faith. During my last visit with him, we brought along two Irish relatives, Eddie Murray from Youghal, Ireland and his sister Aileen O'Driscoll. Eddie was kind enough to do some research and find the birth certificate of his mother, something he expressed a desire for. We are glad we were able to share that with him before his passing. We will always remember and love him, keeping in mind those Currier and Ives images of sledding down the hill with his children and sharing hotdogs during the summer when our families would visit. It is such a tribute to see so many entries in this guestbook. It is a wonderful statement about how much he is loved and will always be remembered. God bless you Howard for all you have taught us.
Susan Potter
November 8, 2011
So sorry to hear of Howard's passing. His sister Madeline was married to my uncle, T.J. "Jimmie" Murray, Sr., and the O'Connell and Murray families knew each other from childhood. I knew of him, but met him only a few years ago. What a handome, witty, kind man, with such a charming personality! Both my late parents, Evelyn (Murray) and Newton Potter (of Windsor CT)admired Howard's musical gifts. May peace of mind be with all of you who knew and loved Howard.
June 21, 2011
Jim,
Sorry to hear of your dad's passing. Best
June 21, 2011
I remember Howard well. We served on several Hartt and University of Hartford boards together, and his advice to this younger colleague was always appreciated.
Howard contributed much to the musical scene in Hartford, to the university and to Hartt.
My condolences to all the family
Ninette Babineau
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Marie & Joel Karnolt
June 16, 2011
Dear Ellen, Ken and family: Our deepest sympathy to all of you! I can still hear your Dad singing at St. Dunstan Church.
Michael, Robin, Joey + Maggie Krawczyk-Cutuli
June 14, 2011
Dear O'Connell Family - Your father was the embodiment of faith – and his presence at mass moved us to tell our children that your father was what faith looked like. My family always looked for him at mass and though we knew one day he would be with us in spirit, it is still sad to realize we won’t see him faithfully attending. God Bless.
Frank Decker
June 12, 2011
It was an honor to have known your father. I'm sure you are very proud of his many accomplishments, especially being a good father. Thinking of you all and holding you in my prayers. Frank Decker and family.
The Ronises
June 12, 2011
Our deepest sympathy to the O'Connell family-you are in our thoughts and prayers.
June 12, 2011
Our sympathies from the Zubretsky family...we always looked forward to the baskets of apples delivered to our door by Howard every Fall...
John Zubretsky, Jr. Wethersfield, CT
Kate Dias
June 12, 2011
Dear O'Connell Family - Howard was such a delight to have around. I always looked forward to seeing him at family events. He always had a great story to share! HIs sense of humor and lovely voice will serve as my fond memories. May the Lord be with you all and bring you peace.
The Herolds
June 12, 2011
Sorry to hear that Mr.O'Connell has passed. But he is now resting in peace and we will always remember him with the smiling face at all the family gatherings whether it was holidays when he sang by the piano or outdoors at the picnics or just singing Happy Birthday at the birthday parties. Our prayers and thoughts go out to the O'Connell family through this hard time. We love you all..
Angela, Craig, Austin and Carissa Herold
Carolyn Bergen
June 12, 2011
Dearest Ellen, Ken, Jan, Laura & David,
So very saddened to hear of the passing of your father & grandpa. He was such a wonderful and delightful man. I know the loss may seem too much to bear, especially since this family has seen so many dear ones pass the past 9 months, but know he's in Heaven and singing with God's choir now.
All my love & may God's peace be with you,
Carolyn
Rachel D Lindenthal
June 11, 2011
I remember Mr. O'Connell and think of him still as the most lively music teacher of my seventh and eighth grades at Jones Jr. High School - in 1956/57. You were fortunate to have him with you all these years and may he now enjoy all the heavenly music.
Holly Dillon
June 11, 2011
Jim~
My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your entire family. I am very sorry for your loss.
Sincerely, Holly (Woloszczuk) Dillon
David Margolis
June 11, 2011
Although i never could carry a tune , I have fond memories of Mr. O'Connell's class at Jones Jr. High in the early '50s. My condolences to his family.
Melissa Nosal
June 11, 2011
Dear Aunt Ellen and Family: My condolences on his passing. It's been a tough year, but we're here if you need us. God bless. Love,
Molly Holmes-Burgess
June 11, 2011
Dear Family: My deepest sympathy to all. He was a kind man and always had a nice word to say. You will all be in our thoughts and prayers
Lanie Niver
June 11, 2011
I am extremly sad to see that Mr. O'Connell passed away. My deepest sympathy to his wonderful wife Barbara and all his Children. I loved seeing them at CVS Pharmacy and It was always, always a pleasure helping them with any and all question about their Meds. He was truly My BEST customer. When I saw them coming I would go into the store part and offer to help them shop. Glastonbury sure is not going to be the same. It's a sad day for sure. He truly will be missed and I thought of him alot. Left that special imprint on me.
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Farley-Sullivan Funeral Home - Glastonbury50 Naubuc Avenue, Glastonbury, CT 06033
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