WESTFIELD – James C. “Eddie” O’Connell Jr, 71, of Wilson Avenue, Westfield passed away Saturday, July 28, 2012 at the Renaissance Manor in Westfield. He was born in Westfield April 17, 1941, the son of the late James C. and Bertha (Levesque) O’Connell, Sr.
He was educated at the former Myrtle St. School, the former St. Mathew’s school and later a graduate of the former Springfield Technical High School, Class of 1959. James was a Vietnam Veteran serving as an Airman in the US Air Force stationed in both Vietnam and Korea. He was employed for 10 years as a bus driver with the PVTA in Springfield, retiring in 2003, when he then worked as a bus monitor with the Hulmes Transportation Company in Agawam. Previously James had been employed at the Art Cement Products in Wilbraham, at the Springfield Republican and as the owner and operator of the former ARCO gas station also in Wilbraham. An avid Gardener, James was very proud to have been able to grow a three pound tomato from seed, as he did with all his tomato plants.
James leaves his beloved wife of 26 years, Audrey N. (Yefko) O’Connell; his four loving, children William P. O’Connell of Nashua, NH, James C. O’Connell III and Wendy S. Charbonneau both of West Springfield, and Christine O. McElhattan of Springfield and his seven cherished grandchildren.
A Calling hour will be held Thursday, August 2nd from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Cusack Funeral Home, 94 Main Street, Westfield with funeral services to be held at 12:30 p.m. in the funeral home. A military burial will follow at 2:00 p.m. at the Massachusetts Veteran Memorial Cemetery in Agawam. Memorial contributions in James’ memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, 59 Bobala Road, Holyoke, MA 01040.
