James O’Connell, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend passed away Friday, November 8, 2024, at home surrounded by his loving family. Formerly from Milford, Pa., Jim was a full-time resident of Dunnellon, Florida.
Born on September 12, 1941, in New York City to James and Bridget (Coughlin) O’Connell, Jim was a true fixture in his community. As a longtime meat cutter/manager for the Grand Union Company, he not only honed his craft but became a beloved fixture known for his friendly demeanor and expert skills. During his 42-year tenure with Grand Union, his attention to detail and dedication to his work were matched only by the warmth and care he showed to each customer.
After retirement from the Grand Union Company, Jim began his second career as a real estate agent working for Coldwell Banker and later, ERA Realty in Milford, Pa. He created many long-lasting friendships with his clients while helping them find their perfect home.
In 2008 Jim fell in love with a small community, much like Milford, near the Rainbow River where he once again, reached out to people in friendship and embraced many lasting, loyal, and loving friends who will always remember his quick Irish wit, his sparkling blue eyes, and his huge hugs.
Outside of work, Jim enjoyed spending every possible moment with his children and his wife of 44 years, Carol (Beretvas) O’Connell. Jim loved to travel, and he explored many places and visited friends and relatives, which included his cousins and their families in Ireland.
Throughout his life Jim embodied the values of kindness and compassion, always ready to lend a helping hand to those in need. His legacy will continue to inspire others to act with the same generosity of spirit, kindness, and love that he embodied.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife Carol O’Connell; sons James (Kathleen) of Bluffton, SC, Christopher (Cathy) of Natick, Mass., and Sean of Pennington, NJ; daughters Laureen Birtch (Frank) of Forestburgh, NY, and Traci McFeely (James) of Milford, Pa.; brother John (Teresa) of Union City, NJ; sister Marie Carpenito of Fishkill, NY; grandchildren, Kayla, Isobel, John, Caiden, Declan, Finnegan, and Brogan O’Connell, Patrick and Allyson Birtch, and Connor, Gannon, and Keegan McFeely; and several nieces and nephews. Jim was predeceased by his son Ryan Eric Schafer and his sister Joan Smith.
Private graveside services will be held by the family. Burial will be in the Milford Cemetery, Dingman Township, Pennsylvania.
Memorial donations may be made to The Ryan Eric Schafer Memorial Scholarship Fund via VENMO to @Sean-OConnell-42 or via check to Sean O’Connell, 6 Hedgecroft Drive, Pennington, NJ 08534.
A celebration of Jim’s life will be held in Dunnellon, Florida, at a later date.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Stroyan Funeral Home, 405 West Harford Street, Milford, Pennsylvania (stroyanfuneralhome.com).