MAURICE JAMES O'CONNELL

1928 - 2012 Maurice James O'Connell (Jim), born in West Roxbury (Boston), MA, on Oct. 26, 1928, son of Dr. Maurice Winthrop and Maud P. O'Connell and died July 1, 2012. He attended Roxbury Latin School--the oldest school in continuous existence in the United States--founded in 1645. He graduated from Bates College in Lewiston, ME, class of 1951. During summers while in school, he drove a cab in Boston, worked on the construction crew that built a bridge over Boston Harbor, and ushered at Braves Field, Fenway Park and the Boston Garden. In 1951, Jim volunteered for the Army for the Korean War, achieving the rank of Sergeant. He later graduated from the Artillery School at Fort Sill, OK, as a Second Lieutenant. Jim's service to his country was of great significance to his life's accomplishments, particularly when he was charged with heading a top secret unit formed to develop and test the Atomic Cannon in Frenchman Flat, NV. His responsibility with the 653rd Observation Battalion Unit was to be certain the aim and trajectory of the weapon was perfect. As Jim would tell you, his team's calculations were accurate and the cannon fired the first atomic artillery shell in history. From eight miles away, the shell exploded within eight feet of its target with the power of the Hiroshima bomb. Recognizing the dangers and implications of atomic weapons, Jim found peace and even pride with his role when General Eisenhower proclaimed the introduction of strategic atomic weaponry as a significant step in leading North Koreans to the peace table, saving countless America lives. Jim was honorably discharged in November 1953 and then joined the Mercantile Stores, Inc., in New York City. This was the parent company of the Jones Store. He was united in marriage to Bates College classmate Cynthia Spitz in 1957 with whom he had three children, Mark, Dan and Elizabeth, whom he loved dearly. His career took him from New York to Mobile, AL, and then onto Kansas City where he became the Merchandise Manager for the downtown Jones Store at 12th and Main Streets. In 1967, Jim became the General Manager of the Jones Store at Metcalf South, the largest store in the company, and enjoyed the successful growth of the operation until his retirement in 1992, earning a wonderful reputation amongst the store's associates and within the Kansas City community. In August of 1982, Jim lost his beloved wife Cynthia after a four-year battle with cancer. At the time of her death she was the President of the Shawnee Mission School Board. In May 1991, Jim would say that happiness returned when he married Rosalie Doctor, who had been his friend and neighbor for years. Rosalie, 'my beautiful loving wife who saved my life,' shared with him her four children and their families, all of whom he loved and cherished. In April 2000, Jim returned to the church of his forebears -- the Roman Catholic Church and found great solace in his faith. Jim leaves his devoted and ever- caring wife Rosalie, who was the great source of his strength and quality of life throughout his long illness. He also leaves behind son Mark O'Connell, his wife Lynne and daughters Caroline and Stephanie; son Dan O'Connell, his wife Lisa and children Elizabeth and Jimmy; daughter Elizabeth O'Connell-Ganges, husband George and sons Bobby and Colin; his extended family, Linda Scardino, her husband Jim and children Shannon, Michael and Megan; Diane Young, her husband Michael and daughter Madison; Sue Beatty, her husband Bruce and children Colleen Long, her husband Brad and their son Harrison, Katie Beam and husband Tanner, and Lizzie; Bruce Doctor and children Dillon, Cameron and Rachel. He also leaves behind his sister Phyllis Murray, nieces and nephews, and was preceded in death by his sister Barbara in 1960. Jim was an active member and participant in many organizations, including the Johnson County Cancer Auction Committee; Overland Park Chamber of Commerce; Senior Warden of Christ Episcopal Church; President of the Board of Directors, Turner House Community Center, KCK; Board of Directors and member of the Board of Governors at Notre Dame de Sion; Co-chair for Support our Seminarians Auction and Dinner; Co-chair for Notre Dame de Sion's 90th Anniversary; Board of Mt. Saint Scholastica Academy; Board of Directors for Maur Hill and Mount St. Scholastica; Knight of the Holy Sepulcher. Services to honor and celebrate Jim O'Connell's abundant life are on Thursday, July 5, with a 5:30 p.m. Rosary at Curé of Ars Catholic Church with visitation immediately following until 8. Mass of Christian Burial will be at Curé of Ars on Friday, July 6, at 10 a.m., followed by burial service at Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a contribution be made to the Legacy Club of Notre Dame de Sion, a scholarship fund established by Jim O'Connell in 1993. (Online condolences and memorial contributions may be offered at www.muehlebachchapel.com) M