O’Connell, Commander Daniel Joseph, USN (ret) 81, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s, formerly of Weston passed away at St. Patrick’s Manor in Framingham on October 26, 2015 surrounded by his family. Beloved and devoted husband of Sheila (O’Connor) O’Connell originally from Dorchester. Devoted father of Daniel O’Connell and his wife Diane of Wrentham, William O’Connell of Memphis, TN, Carole and her husband Tom Awiszus of Stoneham, Richard O’Connell, Mark O’Connell both of Atlanta, GA, and Ellen O’Connell of Bristol, RI. Adored grandfather of Richard, Sean, Michael, Matty, Carly and Serena O’Connell, and Michael & Kayla Awiszus. Born in Lowell he grew up in Jamaica Plain and South Boston, the only son of Daniel and Edith (Kennedy) O’Connell. 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. Julia’s 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 Julia’s Church in Weston on Thursday October 29, at 11:00am with an interment following at St. Joseph’s 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.