John J. O'Connell, III

John Joseph O’Connell III (J.J.) passed away peacefully at his home in San Antonio, Texas on February 26, 2024 as the lilting sound of Irish music played softly, surrounded by loved ones, chief among them the love of his life and devoted wife of 53 years, Judith (Norman) O’Connell. He was 81 years old. Although J.J. sustained a number of health setbacks over the past few years, he never lost his faith or sense of purpose, and he remained to the end the principled, kind, graceful, respected, and loving patriarch and chieftain of his family—a devoted and humble husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and dear friend who never stopped caring for and trying to lift up his loved ones, whether it be with a kind word, a hug, or a shared laugh.

J.J. was born on September 18, 1942 in Kansas City, Missouri to John O’Connell and Nancy (Moore) O’Connell, the eldest of their five children. J.J.’s lifelong passions for his family and community were forged growing up with his brothers and sisters in Hollis, Queens and Rockville Centre, Long Island. He attended St. Agnes High School, where he qualified to attend a university while playing basketball, baseball, and football. From a young age J.J. always looked after his younger siblings Maury, Denis, Joan, and Helen, for whom he also served as godfather.

With the encouragement of a parish priest, J.J. attended the University of Virginia on an NROTC scholarship. He boarded a bus in Port Authority, NY hoping to find palm trees in Virginia, but instead he found life-long friends. J.J. joined the freshman basketball team as a walk on, and was also an enthusiastic and well-loved member of the Sigma Nu fraternity. After graduating with a degree in psychology, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Marines. He served a thirteen-month tour of duty in Vietnam beginning in 1966 as an artillery forward observer. He received his honorable discharge as a captain, receiving a Purple Heart for combat wounds, and he would proudly fly U.S. and Marine Corps flags, with an Irish flag thrown in for good measure, at any opportunity.

After returning to civilian life, he met and married Judy. Together J.J. and Judy raised three children, Christopher Maurice O’Connell, Margaret Ann (O’Connell) Marble, and Thomas Brendan O’Connell in New Jersey. J.J. was a very devoted husband and father who always made time for his family. He memorably served as a volunteer fireman in Watchung, NJ. Over the years he coached many youth sports including soccer, baseball, and basketball, and even ascended to the lofty perch of the Commissioner of the Girls Leagues for the Westfield N.J. Basketball Association.J.J. worked in the reinsurance industry for a number of outfits including General Reinsurance and later Aon. His work was respected by peers, deeply valued by clients, and a vital resource for colleagues. He commuted to Manhattan and loved it when his kids and their friends visited him at his offices in Rockefeller Center and later the World Trade Center.Upon retiring, J.J. and Judy moved to Avon-by-the-Sea, New Jersey, where he was a member of the Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh. J.J. was also a charter member of the Jersey Shore Marines Corps League, where he acted as Chaplain and was named Volunteer of the Year for the time he spent visiting with fellow Marines who were sick or in need and for helping homeless veterans . After several years in Avon, he and Judy moved to San Antonio, Texas where he participated in military history and veterans groups. His favorite things included Irish music (or anything Irish), Charlottesville, parades (although not necessarily being on time for them), being near bodies of water, and bird-watching.J.J. was a loving family man, a loyal friend, and someone who never stopped connecting with people and trying to do good as he moved through this world. Behind his keen wit and affable demeanor, he was brave and resilient and fully committed to those he loved. More than anything he loved his family and enjoyed attending all family gatherings and celebrations. He very much loved and was endlessly proud of his grandchildren Neve, Josie, Sean, Bowen, and Rose. He loved writing them letters and teaching them about Irish history, hearing about their games, and sharing ice cream with them. If you met him, you’d know, because nobody was a stranger. May his decency, generosity, and unyielding support for his loved ones stand as a lasting example for all of us.J.J. was predeceased by his father, John; his mother, Nancy; his sister, Joan; his brother Denis; and his brothers-in-law George Norman and Tim French. He is survived by his brother Maury (Mary and John Evan); his sister, Helen (Caela, Gandalf, Lian, Shailin, Morin); his sister-in-law Susan D’Elia (Michael, Jennifer, Christine); his brother-in-law Phil O’Donnell (Kevin, Jake, Brighid, Caitlin); and his wife Judy and their three children, Christopher (Jessica, Neve, Josephine, Sean), Margaret (O’Connell) Marble (Sanders, Bowen) and Thomas (Bridget, Rose).

Memorial MassMonday, March 18, 202410:00 AMHoly Trinity Catholic Church20523 Huebner Rd.San Antonio, TX 78258

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Jersey Shore Marines by clicking this link.