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William Connell Obituary
William Seth O'Connell died unexpectedly on August 23, 2019 in St. Augustine, Florida, at the age of 60.
Seth is survived by his wife of 25 years, Aimee King; his mother, Jo O'Connell (née Gibson); his brothers, William Patrick O'Connell (Joan) and William Henry O'Connell; his sisters, Christine O'Connell and Samantha Levy (Jose M.); his brother-in-law, Andrew King; and his nieces and nephews, Kristen Tebault (Tyler), Alexis O' Connell, Stephen O' Connell, Olivia O' Connell, Aubrey O' Connell, Isabella Buada, Samuel Levy, and Sofia Levy. Seth is predeceased by his father, Dr. William Wayne O'Connell.
Seth was born on January 30, 1959 in Atlanta, Georgia to Dr. William Wayne O'Connell and Jo O'Connell. After graduating from Emory University in 1981 with a degree in Chemistry, Seth chose to redirect his career by earning his Accounting degree from Flagler College in 1985 and his CPA certification and license in 1988. Throughout his successful accounting career, Seth was an Internal Auditor for J.C. Penney, a Senior Auditor for Davis, Monk and Company (Carr, Riggs & Ingram), and Chief Financial Officer for Lutheran Social Services of North East Florida. Ultimately, Seth joined his brother's firm, W. H. O'Connell & Associates, P.A., in 2002, and soon after became the firm's Audit Partner, where he continued to work and help advance the firm's audit department.
Seth will be remembered and missed, not only for his dedication to his family and friends, but also for his dedication to his Northeast Florida community. As a lifelong resident of Saint Augustine and St. Johns County, Seth impacted the lives of many through the volunteering of his time and professional expertise to several non-profit organizations in the community, providing management consulting and treasury support.
For all who knew him we will miss his bright sense of humor and dedication more than words can express.
At this time, services\memorial are not planned. However, in lieu of flowers, please join his family in celebrating Seth's life by considering a donation in his name to one of the many local charities. We have included two below that Seth tirelessly supported and was involved with.
St. Johns Housing Partnership (https://www.sjhp.org)
St. Augustine Youth Services (https://www.sayskids.org)
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William Connell
Sponsored by The St. Augustine Record.
Joe Jacalone
September 14, 2019
Very sorry to hear of Seth's passing. He was smart and kind person. My condolences to his family.
Terri Perreault
September 4, 2019
Seth was a kind, generous man whose wry, gentle wit made you think everything would work out. Though he was known for his work with the Jacksonville Equestrian Center, his behind the scenes direction and advice to the St Johns County Horse Council was also invaluable. He seemed to truly enjoy supporting the Horse Council and the SJC Equestrian Center and wanted us to be successful.
To the family, please accept our heartfelt condolences. He was a great guy.
We will miss him. I will miss him.
Terri Perreault
September 3, 2019
Seth was a kind, generous man whose rye, gentle wit made you think everything would work out. Though he was known for his work with the Jacksonville Equestrian Center, his behind the scenes direction and advice to the St Johns County Horse Council was also invaluable. He seemed to truly enjoy supporting the Horse Council and the SJC Equestrian Center and wanted us to be successful.
To the family, please accept our heartfelt condolences. He was a great guy.
We will miss him. I will miss him.
Magen Wilson
August 29, 2019
Seth worked closely with the St. Augustine Historical Society for many years. He was truly a kind heart and a wonderful person to work with. We offer our sincerest condolences to the family. He will truly be missed.
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Agnes Watkins
August 28, 2019
Jo,Patrick,Henry, Samantha, Christine and Aimee,please except my deepest sympathy for your loss. I have such fond memories of you all when working with Dr. O and keeping in touch afterwards. My prayers are with all of you.
John Chitwood
August 27, 2019
My memories of Seth are some of my longest and fondest. My utmost condolences to the family.
Growing up in the St Augustine of the 60s & 70s was magical. It seems like every event I participated in included Seth. Grade School, scouts, camping trips and High School to name a few. I can not recall seeing him angry at any time; he was a kind, stable and intelligent person and missed by many.
Wallace Thomas
August 27, 2019
Dear Aimee, my deepest condolences on your loss. We have never met and its been more than 40 years since I have seen Seth. Nonetheless, I remember very fondly from days at RB Hunt in 5th & 6th Grade -- working as crossing guards together. And Boy Scouts and those great camping trips with Troop 345 with Mr. James and Mr. Kent. Riding our bikes all over Anastasia Island. Riding the bus to Episcopal High in Jacksonville and playing JV football. He was true blue and a wonderful, cheerful, sound friend at all times. Though we grew apart later, I remember him in those happy happy times that he helped make. As others are saying here, he is a Good Soul. Very Best Wishes tinged with Sorrow in this time of Loss,
Wally Thomas
Eagle River, Alaska
Martha Garcia-Baker
August 27, 2019
Aimee,
My deepest sympathy to you on your recent loss. I was so sad to hear the news. I shall remember Seth fondly. I was lucky to have worked with him and you. I was even luckier to have maintained a professional relationship with him for almost 15 years afterwards. I always smiled when he called because I knew regardless of the discussion I would definitely have a laugh or 2. Only sorry I never did make time to get together when I was in St. Augustine working as he always suggested. Take care of yourself and may your shared memories provide you comfort in the days ahead.
Aimee King
August 27, 2019
Tom Crawford
August 26, 2019
Seth was a Good Soul. I knew Seth as he served the Housing Finance Authority of St. Johns County and our Chase Rescorla Scholarship Fund for American Legion Post 137. He donated many more hours than he was compensated for. I'm glad that I got to know him in this life.
Tom Crawford
August 26, 2019
Seth was a Good Soul. He worked with many non-profits and helped the County's Housing Finance Authority for many years. I will Truly miss him.
Tom Crawford
Kent Steelman
August 26, 2019
First I would like to express my extreme sorrow to the family for their loss. I know all the brothers and sisters as well as Ms Jo.
Seth was/is one of my oldest friends (+40 years). I missed him the moment I heard from Christine. I will miss talking to him, but rest assured my fond memories of our (Seth and My) adventures will live on.
To the Family, please take care of yourselves and each other. Seth still lives on with us in our memories and with God.
Kent Steelman
Joanne Connell
August 26, 2019
To Aimee and Henry--
We send you our utmost and deepest condolences.
Seth was not just our CPA but a beloved board member of the NE Florida Equestrian Society. He gave so generously to our management of the Jacksonville Equestrian Center. He constantly joked about his lack of horse knowledge, but he was incredible at handling the monumental task of dealing with the City of Jacksonville budget and accounting process. To say he is irreplaceable is the understatement of the year. He never missed an event for us and he always represented us with professionalism beyond compare.
The entire board is so saddened to hear this news and we just are in shock mourning such a tremendous loss.
I am especially grieved as I originally hired Seth for the NFES account in about 2006. He came to my office wearing a Hawaiian shirt and flashing that dry humor. I knew right then we would get along famously, although I always teased him about him probably wishing he didn't agree to take us on. Never once did he complain about all the impossible, time consuming obstacles we faced as a city vendor and again, always treating every near impossible and aggravating situation with humor and the funniest quips. He was my rock and advocate and put us on the path of sound financial reporting, always making sure we met every deadline, crossing every t and dotting every i. We just can't imagine how much knowledge is gone from this world. I considered him a true mentor and most of all a friend and confidant who would always be available as a sounding board. Seth always said there were no stupid questions, he answered them all and he always treated us all with respect and of course that famous humor.
Please know how heavy our hearts are and that we are praying for comfort for you all. Seth was the kindest, most generous person I think I have ever met and I will forever be grateful for the friendship and dedication he showed to me and the entire NFES and JEC family. He will be truly, sorely missed for the decent, knowledgeable, generous, giving, loyal human being that he was.
I shall be eternally grateful for Seth and for you sharing him with us.
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