1931 – 2014

BOSTON, Mass. — Our beloved husband, father and grand “Pa,” Frank Joseph O’Connell, passed away on Friday, June 20, at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Mass., after a brief illness, with his family at his side.

He was born in Lewiston on March 3, 1931, a son of Frank Patrick and Delphine “Cyr” O’Connell. He graduated from Lewiston High School, Class of 1949. While in high school, he participated in baseball, track and hockey, and also served as the basketball manager. He joined the Maine Army National Guard in 1948, while in high school. He was also a 1951 graduate of the Army Signal School.

He married his high school sweetheart, Pauline Dionne, on Nov. 3, 1951, and together they raised four children.

Frank was employed at Bonafide Mills until 1960, where he worked his way up to assistant plant superintendent. When the mill closed, he was later self-employed as a malt beverage distributor. In 1975, he attended classes at Fort Benjamin Harrison to be trained as a recruiter for the Maine Army National Guard. He was a very successful recruiter, maintaining over 100 percent strength during his career. SFC O’Connell was selected to upgrade the retention program within two battalions, encompassing 1,300 troops. He was awarded the Army Achievement Medal.

Frank played for many local baseball teams. In 1954, he was captain of the Bates Manufacturing team that went to Battle Creek, Mich., representing New England. Frank had a long history of being a Red Sox fan and was instrumental in fundraising for the Jimmy Fund.

For many years, he was very active at St. Patrick’s Church. He, along with his wife, Pauline, chaired the annual St. Patrick’s Day dinner. He was also involved with the Jessie Tree at Christmastime; approximately 100-plus children would receive presents. Frank and Pauline served as Eucharistic ministers for over 22 years. Their most recent volunteering was at St. Vincent’s Thrift Shop.

He made many friends through cardiac rehab at St. Mary’s and hosted an annual get-together for 28 years.

Frank was a fan of all local sports. He especially enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s sports events. He was a hockey fan and an avid Maineiacs fan, and a season ticket-holder for their entire stay in Lewiston; he kept the seat warm in Section 5, Row C, Seat 2 for countless games.

Last fall, Frank, with his three sons and two grandsons, enjoyed a trip to Ireland.

Frank was loved by all who met him. He was a very personable man, making all those who met him feel that he was their “Pa” from the first moment. Frank was affectionately known as the “Candy Man,” always with a pocket full of candy to give out to friends and strangers with love. He and Pauline hosted an annual O’Connell/Dionne Family Reunion, boasting a very competitive horseshoe competition in which Frank was a frequent champ.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Pauline; and three sons, George and his wife, Sandy, Gregory and his fiancée, Linda Bourque, and Gary and his wife, Mako; and one daughter, Maureen and her husband, Lee Pokorny; six grandchildren, Angel, Patrick, Chelsie, Tamiko, Caitlin and Shawn; and two great-grandchildren, Tyler and Cody Stockford, and a great-grandchild on the way. He is also survived by his sister, Dorothy “Dottie” Woodhead; many nieces and nephews; and his beloved cat, Scooter.

He was predeceased by his brother, George Benard; and two sisters, Catherine “Kitty” Boucher and Elizabeth “Betty” Terrell.

The family would like to extend a special thank-you to Dr. Seth Gordon and Dr. David Abisalih, and the caring nurses at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center; single stay at CMMC and his cardiac rehab family.

Condolences, donations and a video tribute may be accessed online at www.albert-burpee.com.