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Daniel O'Connell Obituary
He is survived by his loving wife Pauline Tamborello O'Connell, son Sean Michael O'Connell, daughter Shannon O'Connell Berquist, son-in- law Richard Berquist, brother Paul O'Connell, sister Maureen O'Connell Nelson, husband Kim Nelson and grandchildren Stowe Berquist and Trevor Berquist. Preceded in death by parents, brother Phillip O'Connell and son, Patrick Joseph O'Connell.
He graduated from Garner High School in Gardner Massachusetts in 1957. While there he organized a trip for his high school band to visit Trinidad via a two week cruise which all his fellowed bandmates loved.
After graduation he moved to Florida to attend Stetson University. He attended South Texas College of Law in Houston, Texas when it was located in the basement of the YMCA. He graduated with a Juris Doctorate Degree in 1965. Judge Arthur Moller appointed Daniel to his first bankruptcy case where he earned $12.58. Judge Moller was so impressed with his work that he appointed him more cases and took the time to teach him Bankruptcy Law. Daniel was later appointed United State Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Trustee for the Southern District of Texas. His son Patrick worked in his office.
Daniel got his love of traveling from his parents who owned O'Connell Travel Agency in St Petersburg, Florida. In college he led many tour groups all throughout the Caribbean, South and Central America and Europe. He brought that love of traveling to his family and took them all around the world to see places he visit when he was a guide and also Great Wall of China, St Peter's in Rome, Russia and Alaska.
Daniel loved the ocean and bought a house on Galveston Bay, enjoyed waking up to a view of the water every morning. Daniel and Pauline, loved entertaining at their home on the bay where it became a hub for many family gatherings. Crab and shrimp was always served, that he jokingly claimed he caught himself. He enjoyed sailing his sunfish and boat the O'Sea. He was an avid member of the Houston Yacht Club and member of St. Mary's Catholic Church.
Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with a Rosary beginning at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, August 8, 2013 at Earthman Bellaire Funeral Home. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, August 9, 2013 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 3617 Milam St., Houston, TX 77002. Rite of Committal will follow at Glenwood Cemetery.
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Memories and Condolences
for Daniel O'Connell
Nathan Montez
August 16, 2013
I worked as an IT admin in Mr. O'Connell's office. Sad to hear he passed away. Our prayers are with you.
Nathan Montez
August 10, 2013
Sissy, All my love and prayers are with you and your family at this sad time.
Joe Presswood
Margaret Mahoney
August 10, 2013
I knew Dan when i was a bankruptcy judge in Houston in the 80s. He was a great man and trustee. I loved working with him. I am so sorry for your loss.
Lawrence Barbee
August 9, 2013
Dan(Sissie)presided over magical times allowing us all to become children again. "When Irish Eyes are smiling".......on the Player Piano was a joy to sing with Patrick and family Thanks for the memories, Dan. We know you are now singing with the Heavenly Choir Love the Barbee's Ann, Lawrence, Bernadette Joann, Madeleine &Patrick (Cresap)
Michael and Jennifer Windham
August 8, 2013
Dan was the nicest, most polite man and the Friendliest Neighbor I have ever known. I have missed his casual conversations. Our prayers are with You and Your Family Mrs. O'Connell.
Firmin and Marie Hickey
August 8, 2013
Dan O'Connell was a true friend for almost a half a century. We got to know one another as law associates in 1965, we were in each others weddings and watched our families grow, comparing notes when we could. We will always remember the numerous parties and good times we shared.
We know that Dan was welcomed into heaven for all that he accomplished in this life as a husband, father, a respected lawyer and member of his community. Dan will be greatly missed for all of the innovations and expertise he brought to the Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Bar. To Pauline, Shannon and Sean our prayers are with you always.
Sydney Beach
August 8, 2013
Dear Pauline and Family, David and I were saddened to hear the news of Dan's passing. Remembering all of the great gatherings on the bay back in the day. You are all in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
Love, Sydney and David Beach
Kathleen (McDonald) Leavitt
August 8, 2013
I have fond memories of Dan & your family at the NACTT seminars throughout the years. I offer my sincere and heartfelt condolences to you and your family.
August 8, 2013
It was an honor for me to get to know Daniel in recent months, I could quickly tell he was a gracious man ..a man of integrity and with a big heart; the many wonderful tributes to him and his life truly confirm this. My heartfelt sympathies to his family, friends and former colleagues. Carolyn Stewart
Carolyn Matlock
August 8, 2013
Sissie, I am so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my prayers.
Carolyn Fitzgerald Matlock '56
August 8, 2013
Dear Pauline, John L and I are so very sorry to hear of your loss. You and your family are in our prayers during this time of great sorrow. May God bless you with His strength always, in the name of Jesus we ask.
Louise Butera Maida
Epiq Systems
August 8, 2013
To the Family, You are in our thoughts and prayers, We enjoyed working with Mr. O'Connell for many years. He was such a thoughtful, considerate person, his kind heart touched many. Barb Lebens
Emily Van Nes
August 8, 2013
Uncle Dan was a mentor, uncle, confidant and friend. He was a great man.
Pauline Padgett
August 7, 2013
Sissie I am so very sorry for your loss. You and your are in my thoughts and prayers. Love to all. Donut
Pauline Padgett
August 7, 2013
Sissie, I am so very sorry for your loss. You and yours are in my thoughts and prayers.
Love to all. Donut
August 7, 2013
Pauline and family,
Dan was a good friend from Trustee meetings. Our sympathy and prayers are with all of you
Jack and Mary LaBarge, St. Louis
Jane Grillis Silva
August 7, 2013
Dear Pauline, let me share this prayer with you....
Watch dear Lord with those who wake or watch or weep tonight. And give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend your sick ones, O Lord Jesus Christ, rest your weary ones, bless your dying ones, soothe your suffering ones, shield your joyous ones, and all for your love's sake."
I believe this prayer covers everyone. Blessings, Jane Grillis Silva
August 7, 2013
My condolences to all who loved him.
Eddie Brooks
August 7, 2013
Since learning of his passing, I have been revisiting the many good memories I have of my time as one of Mr. O'Connell's office assistants. Can it really be twenty years ago since Sue Pitts pulled me aside to say Mr. O'Connell intended to hire me? Can't be! Those days seem too recent and certainly my gratitude for his patience and encouragement has not diminished despite the time. To Mrs. O'Connell and the family, my sincere condolences at the passing of a man to whom I will forever owe considerable gratitude. Thank you, Mr. O'Connell.
Virginia Segrato-Wood
August 7, 2013
Pauline: Deepest Sympathy to you and your loving family at the loss of your husband, Dan.....It is such a sad time loosing a loved one...but, what a consolation to know Dan's earthly suffering is over and he is forever in God's protection and love. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of grief.
Karla Garrett
August 7, 2013
Pauline, I just heard the news about Dan from Firmin and wanted to offer you my sincere condolences. I have some great memories of your family at our joint Christmas office parties in the old Bankers Mortgage Bldg. and of Patrick and Shannon visiting their dad at the office when they were mere toddlers. I hope your many good memories will bring you comfort going forward, and I wish you well.
Sandy Smock
August 7, 2013
Sissie and Family - my prayers are with you in this sorrowful time. I hope the following thought from Tagore is some comfort to you all. "Death is not extinguishing the light. It is putting out the lamp because the Dawn has come."
Jack Brown
August 7, 2013
Sean,
I am so sorry of your loss and you can be assured my prayers are with you.
I was a classmate of Danny's as he was known in Gardner High School. In addition to being neighbors across the pond on Jackson Park he was one of my
best friends. We were both in the Senior Play, members of the band and went on that trip to Trinidad with the Simplex Time Recorder Company. Danny was in the color guard and I played trumpet. After 3 years in the Army I moved to DeLand, Florida and started my freshman year in Stetson University where Dan was finishing his Senior year. He was a good friend and I will miss him.
Jack Brown
Hugh Ray
August 7, 2013
Dan was a fine fellow and a pleasure to work with and be around. I don't know that I have ever heard a complaint about him over the last 40 years.
Larry & Paula Jureski
August 7, 2013
We are so very sorry to hear of Dan's passing. We have such wonderful memories of the times spent with your family at gatherings-so much fun! Dan was truly a wonderful person & will be greatly missed all who had the honor of knowing him. Your family is in our prayers.
Myron Sheinfeld
August 7, 2013
I am very sorry to learn of Dan's passing. He was a committed lawyer who always worked hard. He was an outstanding person who cared about people and his profession. May he rest in peace. Mickey Sheinfeld.
August 7, 2013
I am very sad to hear of Dan's passing. He was a wonderful person and a dedicated lawyer. My best to his family- Mickey Sheinfeld
Charlene MCCARTHY
August 7, 2013
Dear Pauline,
Just heard about the loss of your husband. My prayers are with you. It is interesting to me that Daniel and I share the same birthdate and I have a son named Daniel O'Brien McCarthy. Peace and love, Charlene Mueller McCarthy Class of 1956 St. Agnes.
Suzanne Guevara
August 7, 2013
I am sorry to hear of Mr. O'Connell's passing. It was always a pleasure to see him at the federal building.
Joan Kehlhof
August 7, 2013
Dan was a gifted lawyer and trustee, that goes without saying. But he was a warm, ebullient man with a heart so big it's amazing his chest could contain it. We will miss you, Dan, and I am praying for your family at this time of need.
August 7, 2013
Shannon, my heart is heavy at the thought of your loss. You remain your father's shining light, and we are all blessed by the reflection of him that graces us through knowing you. Take comfort that he now reaps the rewards of our faith, is rejoined with your family called home before him, and no day will pass without your knowing he remains in your heart. With love to you and your family, Tricia (
Holguin Propst)
John Blinn
August 7, 2013
I met Dan in the late 70's or early 80's when he was a bankruptcy trustee and I was a judge. Although I don't believe our paths ever crossed again after I left Houston in 1981 I remember him as a model of a professional man - industrious, honest, ethical, caring and fair. I never heard a single complaint about him, only praise.
I hope he and his family had a happy life as it was deserved.
John and Mercedes Burger
August 7, 2013
Our thoughts and prayers are with the O'Connell family at this time. May Daniel rest in peace.
Mimosa Flores
August 7, 2013
It was an honor to have been in your employ as a paralegal. Prayers of peace for the O'Connell Family.
Mary Roya
August 7, 2013
Mrs. O'Connell & family, Your husband, your father really changed and impacted my life. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be where I am. I am forever thankful for knowing him, and working with him. My the Lord grant you peace in this your time of sorrow.
Lisa Cockrell
August 7, 2013
When I first started practicing in Houston some years ago now, Mr. O'Connell was one of the first attorneys I worked with in Houston when he was the Chapter 13 Trustee. What a wonderful person to help a a "brand new" lawyer who had no idea of what practice was like in Houston. He had a very special soul and was a kind gentleman. My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this hour. May you find peace in this time of loss.
Webb Jones
August 7, 2013
In am sorry for your lost; a gentle, personable, and professional man. Peace be with you.
August 7, 2013
Sissie, I am sorry for your loss, but I know Dan is in a place of light and peace. My prayers are with you and your family.
Anne Battaglia
McWhorter Robert
August 7, 2013
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Pamela Stewart
August 7, 2013
Sissie and family, I am so sorry to learn of Dan's passing. He was a fine man and I really enjoyed working with him. He truly loved his work, his family, and entertaining. Thank you for all the wonderful memories I will cherish of our many bankruptcy functions at your home. As I am writing this, I am getting ready to leave for the UT Galveston Bankruptcy Conference which will be held tomorrow and Friday. It also dawned on me that Dan passed on foreclosure Tueday, the day he got many of his cases. How fitting. Just because we haven't seen you or Dan in a number of years does not mean the two of you have not been in our thoughts and prayers. Now, more so than ever.
Susan Fuertes
August 7, 2013
I am very sorry to hear about the death of Mr. O'Connell. I knew him during his tenure as one of the Standing Chapter 13 Trustees of the Southern District of Texas, although I first met him when I worked as a Staff Attorney for the Standing Chapter 13 Trustee of the Eastern District of Texas. He was always fun to chat with, and he cared deeply for his family. I remember the fun parties he had for the bankruptcy bar at his home. I am truly sorry for your loss.
Tom Black
August 7, 2013
I was one of the attorneys that practiced in bankruptcy court with Mr. O'Connell when he was trustee. He was a capable trustee, a very fine man, and a real character. I'll miss him.
Suha Ahmad
August 7, 2013
My thoughts are with your family Shannon. So sorry for your loss.
Mary Leona
August 6, 2013
Sissie, Shannon, Richard and Sean....I'm sorry. As you grieve the loss of this wonderful man, remember the joyful years and a lifetime of memories created and shared.
May God Bless and support each of you during this difficult time.
Erin Mulvey Hader
August 6, 2013
Dear Shannon, I remember visiting your wonderful family at the bay. Thoughts and prayers for comfort to you and yours.
Lisa Robinson
August 6, 2013
Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Lisa Grimaldi
August 6, 2013
My thoughts are with you Shannon and all of your family.
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