Obituary of Donald F O'Connell

PALATINE BRIDGE – Donald F. O’Connell, 86 of Palatine Bridge passed away peacefully on Monday, October 6, 2014 at the St. Johnsville Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, St. Johnsville. He was born on December 9, 1927 in Little Falls, NY the son of the late Francis and Mary A. (Cagney) O’Connell. He received his education at St. Mary’s Academy, Little Falls. He was united in marriage to his wife of 62 years the former Violet E. Stegich on October 28, 1950 at St. Mary’s Church, Little Falls. Mrs. O’Connell predeceased him on November 30, 2012. Mr. O’Connell was a veteran of the Korean War serving with the US Navy. Entering the service on November 30, 1950 in Albany. He served with the “Seabees” construction battalion and was honorably discharged on August 18, 1952. He was a member of the Holy Family Parish Church, Little Falls. as well as a member of the Operating Engineers, Local # 106, Albany, NY. Mr. O’Connell was a heavy equipment operator and self-made businessman. He was the owner and operator along with his wife Violet of Palatine Industries a multi-faceted enterprise which included a gravel mining business, and a heavy equipment sales and rental center. Other business ventures of Mr. O’Connell were the owner and operator of the “In Town Car Wash” and the” In Town Storage Unit Facility”. He was also a property owner and developer; who owned and negotiated the land acquisition for the home of the well-known Fucillo Autoplex in Nelliston. He is survived by his nephews; Donald Tibbitts and his wife Aurora, Mohawk, NY and James Tibbitts, Little Falls, a niece; Mary Ann Cheney, Corinth, NY, a sister in law; Jennie Domina, Schuyler, NY and many other nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sisters; Theresa Tibbitts and Margaret Robinson and by a half-brother; Neal Finley, Jr. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, October 9, 2014 at 10:30 am from the Chapman-Moser Funeral Home, Inc., 42 N. Ann Street, Little Falls, NY and at 11:00 am from the Holy Family Parish Church, Cor. E. main & John St.’s, Little Falls where a mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Rev. Terence Healy. Interment will take place in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Town of Herkimer. Relatives and friends are invited to pay their respects at the funeral home on Thursday, October 9, 2014 from 9 – 10:30 am and to attend the funeral services to follow. It is the wish of the family that contributions in memory of Mr. O’Connell be considered to the Ayers Animal Shelter, 133 Hilltop Rd., Sprakers, NY 12166. Envelopes are also available at the funeral home for this purpose.