Capt. Joseph J. O'Connell Jr.

October 23, 1931 - April 16, 2005

Capt. Joseph J. O'Connell Jr., 73, of Ft. Lauderdale, FL formerly of Fall River, MA passed away on Saturday April 16, 2005 at Holy Cross Hospital in FT. Lauderdale, Florida. He was born in Fall River, MA on October 23, 1931 and was the son of the late Captain Joseph J. O’Connell Sr. and the late Miriam R. (Rice) O’Connell.

He was the former co-owner of O’Connell’s Boat Showrooms in Fall River, he spent many happy childhood years at the family boatyard located along the Taunton River. As a young boy, Joey began his "career" selling tickets aboard his father’s excursion boats to Rocky Point; the Crystal Wave and the White Cap. He was a graduate of Somerset High School class of 1949. He married Judith (Bergeron) O’Connell and became an active member and instructor in the Fall River Power Squadron, as well as a member of the Fall River Chapter of the Knights of Columbus, Saint Joseph men’s club, Quequechan Club. He was a communicant and Eucharistic minister of Saint Joseph Church in Fall River. He acquired his pilot’s license and was a member of the the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association for many years. Mr. O’ Connell spent many summers with his family vacationing in places such as Wickford, Block Island, Nantucket, and Martha’s Vineyard.

He was well known in the boating community and was very often recognized by other boating enthusiasts in the Narragansett Bay area and, in later years, the Intracoastal Waterway. He contributed articles to several boating magazines, worked as a marine surveyor, ran a fishing boat charter business, and was renowned for his extensive knowledge in every aspect of the boating industry. Not only was boating his livelihood, it was his joy and love in life. He was an avid fisherman, and Nascar fan, and was known for his colorful, tales, jokes, and sense of humor. In the early 1990’s he and his wife Judy retired to Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Survivors beside his wife are Jo-Anne Cohan of Trumbull, CT and her husband Bruce grandchildren Trent Joseph, and Beth Lindsey; Joyce Cormier of Morrisville, VT her husband George grandchildren Jacqueline, Roland, and Juliette; Cynthia Pilotte of Fall River her husband Charles and grandchildren Cassandra Reid, Steven Reid, Michael and Laura; Carolyn Biltcliffe of Fall River, her husband Stephen grandchildren Samantha and Sarah; Lori (L.J.) O’Connell of Ft. Lauderdale, FL her husband Gerry Gozaloff. His sister Anne Cataldo and her husband Edmund of Booth Bay, Maine his brother Daniel O’Connell and his wife Carol of Fall River, MA along with many nieces and nephews.

Funeral Information

His funeral will be held on Friday, April 22, 2005 at 9am form the Hathaway Home for Funerals, 1813 Robeson St., Fall River, MA( 508-673-0781) followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 10am in Saint Joseph Church 1335 North Main St., Fall River. Relatives and friends are invited to attend, burial will be Private. Calling hours with video tribute album are Thursday, April 21, 2005 from 4-7pm .

Donations Information

Memorial donations in his memory to American Cancer Society 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701 or Hospice Care of Southeastern Florida 309 S.E. 18th Street., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316