GLOUCESTER: Arthur Robert “Red” O'Connell, 75, died peacefully February 5, 2009 after a lengthy illness. He was surrounded by his family. He was the husband of the late Eleanor (Machlin) O’Connell.
Born in Everett on January 17, 1934, he was the son of the late Daniel W. and Mary A. (Conneely) O’Connell. He was a longtime resident of Wollaston, having moved to Gloucester in 2005.
He was a U.S. Navy veteran of the Korean War and was honorably discharged September 23, 1959.
Following his service to his country, he became a member of the National Maritime Union working as an able bodied seaman aboard various freighter & tanker vessels. In 1999, he retired from Boston Tow Company. Red spent his retirement years relaxing and had a keen interest in History, especially China.
He is survived by two sons, Edward O'Connell of Wyoming and Eric O'Connell of Candia, NH, a daughter, Evelyn Degnan of Rockland, ME, eight grandchildren, two sisters and a brother-in-law, Eileen O’Connell of Rockport and Peggy and David Norris of Raleigh, NC, three brothers and three sisters-in-law, Edward O’Connell of Gloucester, Eugene and Bonnie O’Connell of Rockport, Robert and Trudy O’Connell of Parhumph, NV and Jean O’Connell of Lynnfield and many nieces and nephews. He was also predeceased by three brothers, Leo, Alfred and Joseph O’Connell and four sisters, Evelyn Norris, Muriel “Mike” Romazko, Kathy Monitz and Mary Alpaugh.
His services will be held privately at a later date. There are no visiting hours. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in his memory to the VNA Hospice, 5 Federal St., Danvers, MA 01923.