William D. O’Connell, 62, of Wareham died July 25, 2010 unexpectedly at St. Luke’s Hospital.
Born in Boston, the son of the late John M. and Anne J. (Sheridan) O’Connell, he was raised in Braintree and lived in Rochester and Wareham most of his life.
He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. Mr. O’Connell was a friend of Bill W.
He enjoyed sailing and participating in races at the Beverly Yacht Club. Mr. O’Connell was an active coach for his children’s youth sports. He was a fun loving, hard working man who was always willing to lend a helping hand.
He was an amazing man who enjoyed helping friends and family. Bill often helped out with big and small projects like finishing floors, getting a boat ready for the season, painting, cleaning out gutters, and yard work. You name it, he would get it done.
Bill also loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. He was always up for an adventure and loved trying new things. He had a blast rock climbing with Garrett and learning to use the Wii with Ben and Tom. He wasn’t sure about his new cell phone with texting but loved the caller id feature. He also craved the relaxed and comfortable. He loved sitting with Lindsay over a cup of coffee and catching up or strolling along the Cape Cod Canal with anyone that wanted to join him. He also enjoyed spending time with Adriana and Alex. He got such a kick out all the funny stories Adri would tell him and Alex was happy to share a cup of coffee with his Papa. Playing cribbage was another favorite pastime. He always had a great time in the kitchen. He would always want to add a new twist to an “old stand-by” and whoever was around would end up being his guinea pigs. Sometimes the results were good and other times they were a little dicey.
Bill’s favorite place to be was the beach. He loved its smell and the sound of the waves. He loved the feel of the water and sand on his feet. The beach was his oxygen. He needed to sit on the beach and relax or kayak around and see what the birds and fish were up to. He was always thrilled to get his family and friends down to the beach to enjoy a picnic during any season.
Bill will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
Survivors include a son, Garrett O’Connell and his wife to be Katie Volino of Attleboro; 2 daughters, Alison Roache and her husband Peter of Dighton, and Lindsay Pullia and her husband Vincent of Norton; 3 sisters, Anne Lamb and her husband Dick of Springvalle, ME, Connie Crosby and her husband Gus of Osterville, and Dottie Sullivan and her husband Paul of Concord, NH; 4 grandchildren, Ben and Tom Roache, and Adriana and Alex Pullia; a granddog, Max Roache; and many nieces and nephews, grandnieces and nephews.
He was the brother of the late John O’Connell.
Memorial visiting hours Friday, July 30th from 5-8 PM in the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home For Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6) Mattapoisett. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the charity of one’s choice.