October 11, 2018

OBITUARY: Deacon Terrance O’Connell

REGIONAL

SPRINGFIELD – Deacon Terrance J. “Terry” O’Connell, 77, of the East Forest Park section of Springfield, died Oct. 9 at Baystate Medical Center, here. He served the Springfield Diocese most recently as a chaplain at Providence Place, Mary’s Meadow, Providence Hospital and Brightside for Families and Children, all in Holyoke.

He was born in Springfield on March 8, 1941, a son of the late Brien J. and Kathleen F. (Donovan) O’Connell. He was raised in Springfield and graduated from Holy Cross Preparatory School in Dunkirk, N.Y. He furthered his education and received his bachelor’s degree, his master’s degree in education, and certificate of advanced graduate studies from American International College in Springfield. He later received a master of arts degree in theology from St. Joseph University in West Hartford, Conn., and a master’s degree in theological studies from Boston College in Chestnut Hill.

He worked for more than 30 years in the Springfield Public School System, in which he worked for 15 years in tutorial services in special education, and retired in 2010. He previously worked as a guidance counselor at Cathedral High School in Springfield for 10 years. On Sept. 9, 1990, he was ordained a permanent deacon in the Maronite Catholic Rite for the Eparchy of St. Maron in Brooklyn, N.Y., and ministered to the St. Anthony Maronite Catholic Church in Springfield for more than 20 years. In 2005, he became a bi-ritual deacon serving the Diocese of Springfield. At that time, he was assigned as a chaplain to Providence Place, Mary’s Meadow, Providence Hospital and Brightside. His ministry at Brightside, where he lived as a youngster, included assisting the young residents there in the preparation of the sacraments of baptism, reconciliation and first Communion, and administering the sacrament of baptism.

He was a member of the Springfield Educational Administration, the Massachusetts Teachers Association and the National Association in Pastoral Education. He also was a fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus and was an associate of the Sisters of Providence.

He is survived by his wife, Helen R. (Reilly) O’Connell, and his sons, Christopher P. O’Connell of Burbank, Calif., Michael J. O’Connell of Palmer, and Brien J. O’Connell and his wife, Zandra, of Springfield; his three grandchildren, Katie Sheleen, McKenzie May and Liam Patrick O’Connell; his great-granddaughter, Reina Lynne; his brother, Kevin O’Connell and his wife, Margaret, of California; his sister, Kathleen MacKenzie, of Springfield; his two brothers-in-law, Robert Reilly of Texas, and Thomas Reilly and his wife, Ruth, of Watertown, Mass.; his daughter-in-law, Mary Imelio ,of Springfield; and his many nephews, nieces, cousins, friends, clergy, fellow deacons and extended members of the O’Connell and Reilly families.

In addition to his parents, he was also predeceased by his brother, Brien “Timmy” O’Connell, who died in 1994.

The funeral will be held on Saturday morning, Oct. 13, 2018 beginning at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, at 9 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Name Church, 323 Dickinson Street, Springfield. Burial will follow the Mass at Calvary Cemetery, 292 Hampden Street, Chicopee. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday, Oct. 12, 2018 from 4 to 7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, his family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to Jericho, P.O. Box 1039, Holyoke, MA 01041-1039.