SPRINGFIELD ~ Deacon Terrance J. “Terry” O’Connell, 77, of the East Forest Park section of Springfield, was Called Safely Home on Tuesday, October 9, 2018. He passed into Eternal Life at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in Springfield on March 8, 1941, a beloved 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, NY. 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 Saint Joseph University in West Hartford, CT and a Master’s Degree in Theological Studies from Boston College in Chestnut Hill. Terry worked for over 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 September 9, 1990, Terry was ordained a Permanent Deacon in the Maronite Catholic Rite for the Eparchy of Saint Maron in Brooklyn, NY and ministered to the Saint Anthony Maronite Catholic Church Community in Springfield for over 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, all in Holyoke. His ministry at Brightside was close to Terry’s heart as he had once lived there as a youngster and included assisting the young residents there in the preparation of the Sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation and First Communion and administering the Sacrament of Baptism. Terry 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 leaves his beloved wife and best friend, Helen R. (Reilly) O’Connell. They were married on August 24, 1968 at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church in Springfield and were blessed with over 50 years of happiness together. He also leaves his three loving sons, Christopher P. O’Connell of Burbank, CA, Michael J. O’Connell of Palmer and Brien J. O’Connell and his wife, Zandra, of Springfield; his three cherished grandchildren, Katie Sheleen, McKenzie May and Liam Patrick O’Connell; his cherished great-granddaughter, Reina Lynne; his dear brother, Kevin O’Connell and his wife, Margaret, of California; his dear sister, Kathleen MacKenzie of Springfield; his two dear brothers-in-law, Robert Reilly of Texas and Thomas Reilly and his wife, Ruth, of Watertown; his dear sister-in-law, Mary Imelio of Springfield; and his many dear 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 dear brother, Brien “Timmy” O’Connell who was Called Home in 1994. His funeral will be held on Saturday morning, October 13, 2018 beginning at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, (413-737-1177), 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107, (funeral home will open at 9 a.m.), followed by a Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Name Church, 323 Dickinson Street, Springfield, MA 01108. His burial will follow the Mass at Calvary Cemetery, 292 Hampden Street, Chicopee, MA 01013. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday, October 12, 2018 from 4 p.m. 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. “Together We Can Do Something Beautiful For God.” For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com