O'Connell, Daniel W. (Danny) died Wednesday, May 27, 2020. He was born in the Bronx, New York on July 24, 1938 to William and Grace O'Connell. He and his family moved to Clearwater, Florida from New Jersey in 1970.
Danny earned a BA in Criminology and graduated from St. Leo University in St. Leo, Florida. He had more than 21 years of dedicated and loyal service to the citizens of Clearwater and the Clearwater Police Department. His file had many letters sent to varying Clearwater Police Chiefs from so many people relating how he had been so helpful. Just to name a few instances: in March 1980 between the hours of 12:30-1:00 pm Danny stopped to change a flat tire for two women visiting from out of town. Not only thinking along the lines of a police officer but also as a father himself to three daughters, he explained later that he hoped that an officer or citizen would do the same to reach out to be of assistance if it were his daughters and then get them safely on their way to their destination. A week later a letter came to the Chief of Police, Frank Daniels, from the father of one of the young ladies commending Officer O'Connell for his "very courteous" assistance. In June 1979, a fellow officer reported to Chief Daniels how Officer O'Connell entered a burning residence in search of any occupants. A letter of commendation was placed in his personnel file for that call of duty during the emergency situation. Again and again letters were received by the various Chiefs of Police he served under, commending him on his calm and professional manner, his excellent discernment in judgement and his thorough investigation skills. He retired as a detective in 1992. Danny was a parishioner at Espiritu Santo Catholic Church. He served as a commissioned extraordinary Eucharistic Minister beginning in February 1999. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus since 1961. He was a 3rd degree Knight with the Safety Harbor Knights of Columbus, Barney Ganyea 7109 Council and a 4th degree Knight with the Espiritu Santo Assembly 2474. He held many offices within the Knights on the local, district and state level. Sir Daniel O'Connell and his deceased wife, Carol, had served as Pro-Life Chaircouple in 2000. Danny was awarded Honorary Membership in the Knights of Columbus after being a Knight for over 50 years. Danny served his country in the Army National Guard of the State of New York. He was preceded in death in 1982 by his older brother, Edmund (Eddie); in 2003 by his wife of 42 years, Carol Ann; in 2005 by his oldest daughter, Theresa Caroline (Terry); and in 2008 by his older sister, Mary Ann DePaoli. He is survived by his family, Maureen, his middle daughter, Patricia (Patti) Perkins; his youngest daughter, Kelly and her husband, Gary Cronin; his granddaughters, Allison and her husband, Jason Warrick, Danielle Parker, Tiffany and her husband, Steven Castro; and his grandsons, Kevin Cronin, Danny Perkins and Timothy Cronin; and his two great-granddaughters, Paisley and Aria; his stepson, Christopher Schiefen, stepdaughter, Michelle Schiefen; and many nieces and nephews.
His funeral Mass will be Saturday at noon, June 20, 2020 at Espiritu Santo Catholic Church, 2405 Phillippe Parkway, Safety Harbor, FL 34695 followed by an interment at Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park, 2860 Sunset Point Road, Clearwater, FL 33759. Diocesan guidelines will be followed at the Funeral Mass regarding the CDC guidelines. It is suggested to bring hand sanitizer and wipes and it is recommended to wear a mask.
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