NEIL O’CONNELL, aged 71, of Jackson, NJ, passed away at home on Friday, September 9, 2016. He was born and raised in New York City where he was drafted into the Army and served in Vietnam. After his return he met his future wife Christine, whom he married in 1970. They moved to Jackson in 1975 with their two children. While working a full time job he returned to college and obtained a BS in business from Trenton State College while bartending on the weekends to help his family. Neil retired early from Merrill Lynch as an information technology manager and Assistant Vice-President when he had his first stroke in 1994 and became disabled.
Neil was a parishioner of St. Aloysius Roman Catholic Church where he was an active member of the Holy Name Society and St. Vincent DePaul Society. He was a member of the VFW, Knights of Columbus, Jackson Elks and American Legion. Neil served as a Jackson Township Committeeman, as well as former Police Commissioner. He also served on the Jackson Planning Board and Industrial Commission.
While his children were growing up he was a Cub Scout Master and Pack Committee Chair, Little League Coach, Pop Warner Football Coach, Coach and Referee for Jackson Recreation Basketball and Assistant Coach for the Soccer League, as well as a founding member and manager of Men’s Slo-pitch Softball League.
He is survived by his wife, Chris, of 46 years; his children, Katharine (Kari) White and her husband, Chad and their three sons; and Steven O’Connell and his wife, Rachel and their two daughters. In addition to his five grandchildren, he is also leaving his brother, Jerry; sister, Patricia; brother-in-law, Ed; sisters-in-law, Ellen and Joann; and numerous nieces, nephews, and grandnieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents, a brother and two sisters.
Neil will be missed by all who knew him.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend his visitation on Monday, September 12, 2016, from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at the GEORGE S. HASSLER FUNERAL HOME. 980 Bennetts Mills Rd., Jackson Twp., NJ 08527. A funeral gathering will be offered at 8:15 AM on Tuesday, September 13, 2016, at the funeral home. His Funeral Liturgy will follow at 9:15 AM at St. Aloysius Roman Catholic Church, 935 Bennetts Mills Rd., Jackson, NJ. Contributions may be made in Neil’s memory to Serenity Hospice Care, 56 Georgetown Rd., Bordentown, NJ 08505, the National Stroke Association, 9707 E. Easter La., Centennial, CO 80112, or the Brain Aneurysm Foundation, 269 Hanover St. Building 3, Hanover, MA 02339. For directions, further information, or to send condolence messages to the family, please select a tab on the left.