Daniel J. O'Connell

Commander Daniel Joseph O'Connell, USN (ret) 81, after a long battle with Alzheimers, formerly of Weston passed away at St. Patricks Manor in Framingham on October 26, 2015 surrounded by his family. Beloved and devoted husband of Sheila (OConnor) OConnell originally from Dorchester. Devoted father of Daniel OConnell and his wife Diane of Wrentham, William OConnell of Memphis, TN, Carole and her husband Tom Awiszus of Stoneham, Richard OConnell, Mark OConnell both of Atlanta, GA, and Ellen OConnell of Bristol, RI. Adored grandfather of Richard, Sean, Michael, Matty, Carly and Serena OConnell, and Michael & Kayla Awiszus. Born in Lowell he grew up in Jamaica Plain and South Boston, the only son of Daniel and Edith (Kennedy) OConnell. He graduated from Boys Latin in 1952 and attended Harvard University with the class of 1956, until he gained acceptance to the US Naval Academy graduating with the class of 1957. While at the Naval Academy he excelled at SQUASH and was a standout on the Battalion squash team. Commissioned an Ensign in US Navy, he served predominantly on TIN CANS (Destroyers) serving throughout the world as a Surface Warfare Officer (SWO). His ships included USS TOLEDO, USS CUNNIGHAM, USS HYMAN, and XO of the USS TAUSSIG. He had numerous tours at the Pentagon and received a Masters in Computers in 1969 from the Navy Post graduate school in Monterey, CA. In 1970 Dan worked computer integration systems within the joint warfare commands in Vietnam. He was awarded a Navy Commendation medal with Combat V for his bravery in Vietnam as well as the Joint Service Commendation Medal. Dan finished his career where it started at the United States Naval Academy and served as the Assistant Director of Management (DOM) and Officer Representative for the JV Tennis team. After retirement from the Navy, Dan settled his family in Weston, Massachusetts and worked at Harvard Business School, Wang Labs and Massachusetts Department of Transportation. He later volunteered at St. Julias Parish and the Campion center in Weston. Dan was most proud of educating his children and he never spent any thing on himself, but always enjoyed helping others. He will be remembered as a gentle, soft-spoken man who loved his wife, family and GOD with his whole heart. Dan was not only a hero to his family, but so many more that he touched. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Julias Church in Weston on Thursday October 29, at 11:00am with an interment following at St. Josephs Cemetery in West Roxbury. Visiting hours will be 4:00-8:00pm on Wednesday October 28, at George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 477 Washington Street (Rt.16), Wellesley, MA. In lieu of flowers, donations maybe made to the Alzheimer's Association or Wounded Warrior Project. For directions and guestbook gfdoherty.com. Funeral arrangements by George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, Wellesley.