O’CONNELL Daniel J. (BPD Retired) of West Roxbury, MA passed away unexpectedly on July 6, 2021. Born on August 18, 1952 in Newport, RI, Daniel was the son of the late James F. O’Connell and Margaret M. (McGee) O’Connell of Portsmouth, RI and West Roxbury, MA.
Daniel attended St. Anthony’s School in Portsmouth, RI and De La Salle Academy in Newport, RI. Daniel graduated from Boston English High School in Boston, MA.
After graduation Daniel joined the United States Army and served as a Military Policeman. Upon completion of military service, Daniel joined the Boston Police Department where he had a distinguished law enforcement career, including receiving the Boston Police Medal of Honor for outstanding valor in 1995.
Daniel leaves behind his brother Michael and his wife Jane O'Connell of Chatham, MA, sister Mary and husband David Donahue of Rings Island, MA. Daniel was also the brother of the late Patricia O’Connell of Marshfield, MA. In addition, Daniel leaves behind his stepmother Edna O’Connell of East Kingston, NH, nieces Shannon Razsadin (Donahue) and husband Alexsei of Newport, RI, Colleen Donahue of Newburyport, MA, nephew James Donahue and wife Jackie of Los Angeles, CA, niece Catherine Hunter (O’Connell) and husband Travis of Upper Saddle River, NJ and nephew Andrew O’Connell and wife Anna of Greenwich, CT, step brother Joseph Malo of North Carolina. Daniel was the proud grand uncle of Lillian, Meaghan, Declan, Caden, Sophia and George.
Daniel will be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor and his devotion to family and the Boston Police community. Daniel was also a proud member of the Boston Lodge of Elks #10, in West Roxbury, MA where he had many fiends who helped him enjoy his retirement.
A funeral mass will take place at Holy Name Church in West Roxbury, MA on Thursday, July 15th at 10am. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Interment with military honors will take place at the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne at 2:30pm.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to:
Boston Animal Care & Control
26 Mahler Rd. Roslindale, MA 02131
www.boston.gov/animals
Military Family Advisory Network (MFAN)
Militaryfamilyadvisorynetwork.org