John O Connell , February 13, 1931 — November 26, 2018

OBITUARY John O’Connell February 13, 1931 – November 26, 2018 John P. O’Connell, 87, Township of Washington passed away peacefully on Monday, November 26, 2018 surrounded by his loving family. He was the son of John M. and Alice (Jenkins) O’Connell. John was the owner and operator of O’Connell Marine Service and John P. O’Connell Excavating, Inc

He was born in Jersey City, NJ. John is survived by his devoted wife, Lorraine, of 66 years, his children Timothy, Mary, Daniel, Thomas and wife Pirkko, Ann Marie, Michael, Kathleen and husband Scott. John is also survived by his sister, Alice Miller.

John is predeceased by his son, John Jr He was the proud grandfather of fourteen grandchildren, Matthew, Christina, Joseph, Emily, Kristine, Kelly, Corey, Tiina, Casey, Ashley, Jesi, Alexis, Aidan and Grace and three great grandchildren, Elijah, Bashir and Julius. John graduated from Saint Cecelia High School and attended Villanova University.

He served his country in the United States Coast Guard, as keeper of several lighthouses along the New England coast. John lived in the Township of Washington for 62 years and was a founding and faithful member of Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. In John’s earlier Township years, he volunteered his time coaching little league baseball.

John was a lifetime member of the Township of Washington Ambulance Corp, spent many years as an active member of the Zoning Board and is a past Grand Knight of the Mother Seton Council #5427 of the Knights of Columbus. John enjoyed his life to its fullest. He loved spending time with his family, sharing meals and traveling with friends.

John was an avid golfer, boater, fisherman and gardener. He enjoyed many years of sailing, frequenting one of his favorite spots, Block Island, Rhode Island. The family will receive their relatives and friends at Becker Funeral Home, 219 Kinderkamack Road, Westwood, NJ on Friday, November 30 from 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. John’s life and faith will be celebrated at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, 668 Ridgewood Road, Township of Washington, NJ at 10 A.M. Saturday, December 1.

Interment will follow at Ascension Cemetery, Airmont, NY. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org).

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