Sean K. O'Connell

Born Feb 7, 1919 in Wilmington, Delaware to John and Regina Bogan O’Connell,

he graduated from Archmere Academy and the University of Delaware. From 1940 to 1945 he served in the U.S. Army. A veteran of the Normandy invasion, he was awarded the Bronze Star for his actions during the Battle of the Bulge. Captured in April 1945, he was held as a P.O.W. until the camp was liberated by General George Patton’s Third Army.

Following his discharge from the Army, he attended Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, and the American Graduate School of International Management. His graduate studies led to a year-long assignment with the State Department’s Interim Research and Intelligence Service in South America. Upon his return to the U.S., he joined an Arctic expedition in an unsuccessful attempt to reach the North Pole via snowmobile.

Prior to his marriage to Mary Jane Hurley in 1955, he worked as a piano player in Greenwich Village as well as singing in the chorus of several Broadway shows.

He was employed as a marketing and advertising director in New York City for more than twenty years, and was a past President of the Advertising Sportsmen of New York.

Sean was predeceased by his sister, Jean, and his wife of 34 years, Mary Jane O’Connell. He is survived by his five children; Maura Rudd (Joe) and Nancy Jean O'Connell,(Dave Griswold) both of Stamford, CT, Sean O’Connell (Robin) of Dallas, TX, Dani O’Connell (Paul Malis) of Flagstaff, AZ, and Megan Lynch (Thomas) of Coos Bay, OR. He is also survived by his four grandchildren; Regina Cornelio, and Molly, Brian and Michael O’Connell and his dear friend of many years, Nancy James of Williamsburg, VA.

An avid sailor and ocean racer, Sean participated in 14 Newport-Bermuda races, and was a member of the New York Yacht Club, the Stamford Yacht Club and the Explorers Club. He was a member of The Storm Trysail Club since 1955 and also served as its Historian . He will be remembered in Stamford as a talented musician, and a contributing voice in St Mary’s Choir. In the tradition of the Seanchai' storytellers of Ireland, his lifetime of wonderful stories will live on in all of us.

Sean's family will receive friends on Friday September 21, from 4 to 8 pm at Leo P. Gallagher & Son Funeral Home, 2900 Summer Street in Stamford

A memorial mass will be held on Saturday September 22 at 11 am at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, 1170 Shippan Ave in Stamford .

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Sean's memory to:

The Seaman's Church Institute

74 Trinity Place, Ste 1414 
New York NY 10006

Words of sympathy for the family can be sent to www.leopgallagherstamford.com