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Joseph O'Connell Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Joseph O'Connell
Terese (Susie) Guglielmino
February 1, 2013
Oh, my dear friend! How I love you. You were the one priest who understood and listened to teenaged girls at Star of the Sea Academy in San Francisco in the turbulent late '60's. I could tell you anything. You never so much as blinked when cuss words spilled out in my rages. You never preached at me. Rather, we talked. We discussed. We searched together. And we laughed. Gentle hippie right on priest, yeah, that's you. Your smile. Your voice. Your loving touch that calmed this rock & roll girl with certainty that she was who she was meant to be, so go on and dance. You were one of us. Young at heart. And you were there, protective, unfazed by our silly mean boy-obsessed gossipy hormone riddled lunacy as a real father. But, then, why not? It's your nature. Fr. and father. Love begets love, which, in turn, ripples from life to life, travels everywhere, strong in its beauty, in its steady rhythm, its silent song. It is life itself. You are life and always will be. You are love. Neverending ripples.
Jan St.Clair
January 31, 2013
You'll always have a special place in our hearts, Fr. O'Connell. Our whole family loved you...You were always there for each and every special event in our lives. We'll be thinking about you every year around your birthday and remembering all the wonderful times we've spent together. God bless you! The St.Clair family
Laura Diaz-Flaviani
January 28, 2013
Father O'Connell was a wonderful priest and family friend. I have know him since I was in the 3rd grade in Millbrae. I grew up with him as a part of my life. He was the main celebrant at my wedding and I worked for him at both St. Dunstan and Our Lady Of Mt. Carmel. He had a great sense of humor and he was such a genuine person. He and my father both shared a love of golf. After the Jubilee Mass at AT and T park, Father O'Connell expressed to me that he thought the sermon was long and that "no soul could be saved after 7 minutes". I will miss him very much. Blessings to you Father O'Connell, your memory will live on in the hearts of the lives you touched.
January 28, 2013
Father O'Connell was a wonderful priest and a great family friend. He has been a part of my life since I was in the 3rd Grade in Millbrae. He was the main celebrant at my wedding and I worked for him both at St. Dunstan and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Mill Valley. He and my father shared of love of golf. I will always remember when we had the Jubilee Mass at AT&T park and the sermon was long. He told me later that "no soul could be saved after 7 minutes". I will miss him and all the wonderful things he did for my family. Blessings to you. Fr. O'Connell, your memory lives on.
David Hannon
January 27, 2013
Father O'Connell was a fine man. I was fortunate to have learned a few words of Latin from him while in Millbrae. I send my condolences to his family and many friends.
Fred Bertetta & Family
January 25, 2013
Father O'Connell meant a lot to our family as we grew up in Millbrae. He was there to give our first communions and our confirmations and he will be remembered for his gentle personality and happy disposition. I am sorry that my children will not know Father O'Connell but I am thankful for his presence in our lives.
January 24, 2013
Fr. Joe O'Connell was a wonderful down to earth man and wonderful priest and orator. He said a 5 mintue sermon was enough. He didn't want to lose anyone !
Oh, Fr.Joe, you will be missed by me so very much.You helped me along the way so many times. You were and always will be very special to me. Love you dear friend.
Patty Ghilarducci Millbrae, CA
Jerry Bires
January 24, 2013
Among many wonderful things Fr. O'Connell did for my wife and me was to give us the sacrament of matrimony on August 14, 1999. He was the epitome of the parish priest and parish pastor.
January 24, 2013
The Dane family will never forget you! Rest in Peace~
Gina Celeste Barber
January 24, 2013
Father O'Connell was a great friend to the Celeste Family. I am lucky to say I was baptized, confirmed, and married by Father O'Connell. My family has wonderful memories of him. He will be missed.
Heidi Ennis
January 23, 2013
Father you will missed here on earth but still have so much to do in Heaven, Thank you for your many blessings. We all will miss you dearly.
Ceil Turner
January 23, 2013
Father O'Connell was a wonderful Pastor at St Dunstans for so many years. He married Marv and I. He did
so much for so many families in Millbrae. He was so loved by the parish that he was asked to come back as Pastor a second time
TOM & LOUISE HERBECK
January 23, 2013
Fr. Joe was a kind and caring man. He married us in 1963 and we had remained in touch with him over the years. His presence at St Dunstans was felt by everyone who knew him..He was a gentle man and we will never forget him....
Jeff LaMont
January 22, 2013
Father O'Connell baptized myself and my three siblings at Saint Dunstan. He was personal friends with my parents Duke and Bev for many years. He was there at my mom's funeral service. A kind man and a great parish priest, he will be missed by the LaMont family.
howard connolly
January 22, 2013
Fr. Joe was the "Kapernack " of St. Dunstan's,Frs. DeAngelo, Meriweather, & Higgins made up a heavenly team, he called my name for many a play, never will I forget Fr. Joe.
Bernadette & Stephen Connolly
January 22, 2013
We were very fortunate to have had known Fr. as a Priest and friend. May he rest in the palm of Our Lord's hand...
Linda Lam
January 22, 2013
Father O'Connell was a 'people's priest' - one who cared and connected on a real human level. I remember him most for his unassuming ways, a smile, a simple nod. I am so grateful to have known him.
January 22, 2013
Fr. Joe was a dear friend for over 45 years, a dedicated priest, a gentleman
with a wonderful disposition.
In our hearts he will never be forgotton. Our hearts reach out to his brother Fr. Bill and family.
Nancy & Karl Seppi Healdsburg, Calif.
Gary Pellegrini
January 22, 2013
My first memory of Father O'Connell was as an Altar Boy at St. Dunstan's in Millbrae.I served many Masses with him, played golf with him, and attended Altar boy picnics, as well. He also married my wife and I, baptized my 2 sons, married my brother and his wife, baptized their 3 sons, married my sister and her husband, and was there when my parents renewed their vows on their 50th wedding anniversary. Needless to say, he was a huge part of our lives. He will truly be missed by my family and many others, as well. The most gentle and giving man he was. I truly feel like I have lost a member of my family...but feel blessed to have known him for so long.
Francis Axiaq
January 22, 2013
He was the Parish Priest St. San Dunstan Church in Millbrae Ca. He always had time to listen to one need and give the spiritual guidance needed.
May he rest in peace.
Francis
Karen Hannon Ligouri
January 22, 2013
Father O'Connell was a wonderful priest. We really missed him when he was transferred from our parish. I remember him from St. Dunstan's Parish in Millbrae, where I grew up. Now we all have a special guaridan to watch over us
Joe and Julie Collins
January 22, 2013
Fr. Joe was a charming man, a good priest and always a witty conversationalist. His service as chaplain to the SF Fire Dept. was deeply appreciated by it's members. God Bless, Fr Joe.
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