James P. O'Connell

11/01/2006

James P. O'Connell, 75, of Number Six Road, Leverett, died Wednesday at Harborside Healthcare-Westwood in Keene, N.H. Born in Montague on April 12, 1931, son of John and Marjorie Porter O'Connell, he attended schools in Millers Falls and Turners Falls and graduated from the former Searles High School in Great Barrington in 1948. An Air Force veteran of the Korean War, he served from 1951 to 1954 and spent three years in France. Mr. O'Connell was employed as a public accountant and as an attorney. He worked for an international accounting firm for two years before joining the faculty of Texas A&M University. After two years, he returned to New England, where he was employed by the University of Massachusetts Amherst as a professor for 42 years. He also taught accounting courses at Smith, Amherst and Mount Holyoke colleges. He was a member of the American Institute of CPAs, the American Bar Association, the Flying Club of Turners Falls and Edward H. Phillips Post 102 American Legion in Athol. A sport pilot, he flew solo on his 16th birthday. He owned several airplanes over the years, held an instructor's license and enjoyed teaching young people how to fly. He leaves a sister, Jean Cunnane of Keene, and a brother, retired Navy Capt. Jerome O'Connell of Sun City Center, Fla. FUNERAL NOTICE -- Services for James P. O'Connell, who died Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2006, will be private. There will be no calling hours. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Dakin Animal Shelter, 163 Montague Road, Leverett, MA 01054. Kostanski Funeral Home of Turners Falls is in charge of arrangements. Sympathy messages are available at www.kostanskifuneralhome.com. Mr. O'Connell also leaves two sisters-in-law, Mary Lou O'Connell and Marguerite O'Connell, widow of Coast Guard Capt. John O'Connell; two nieces, Marguerite and Julie O'Connell; two nephews, Michael Cunnane and Col. Jack O'Connell and his wife, Col. Laurel Cunnane. A niece, Kathleen Cunnane Hurst, predeceased him. He also leaves several great-nieces and -nephews as well as many great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews.

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