Mr. George B. O'Connell, age 63, retired Wilmington Police Officer, passed away December 7th at the Lahey Clinic Medical Center in Burlington, following a lengthy illness. He was the beloved husband of Doris F. (Abromivitch) and together they recently celebrated 44 years of marriage. Born in Cambridge and raised in Brookline, George was the son of the late Cyril and Grace (Spring) O'Connell.
Mr. O'Connell moved to Wilmington when he was seven years old and has been a resident ever since. He attended Wilmington schools and also attended North Eastern University. He enlisted in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War and honorably served his country from 1964 to 1967. Shortly following his return home, Mr. O'Connell entered the Police Academy where he graduated top in his class in both academics and marksmanship. He was appointed to the Wilmington Police Department in the early 1970's and faithfully served the Town of Wilmington for a couple of years until he was forced to retire due to an accident that left him unable to work as a Police Officer. In his retirement he was still able to serve Wilmington as a committee member of the Handicap Commission for several years.
Mr. O'Connell loved the outdoors and enjoyed hunting when he was younger. He was a veracious reader and enjoyed the computer. He also enjoyed traveling to car shows and monster truck shows. His greatest joy was being surrounded by his loving family and especially his grandchildren.
In addition to his late parents, George is preceded in death by his brothers, Cyril O'Connell Jr. and David O'Connell. He is survived by his beloved wife Doris and their two children, Shawn O'Connell and his wife Susan of Northwood, NH, Jason O'Connell and his wife Danielle of Wolcott, RI. He is also survived by his loving grandchildren, Katie, Patrick, Jonathan and Cooper O'Connell. He is further survived by his brother, Bruce O'Connell and his wife Laurie of Methuen.
A funeral service will be conducted in the Dello Russo - Cavanaugh Funeral Home, 374 Main St. Wilmington on Wednesday, December 9th, at 7 PM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend and may visit with the family prior to the service from 3 thru 7 PM. Interment services will be private. It has been requested that in lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in George's memory to the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation
636 Morris Turnpike, Suite 3A, Short Hills, NJ 07078