Jeremiah J. “Jerry” O’Connell, 82, brother of Brian O’Connell, CM died peacefully and comfortably on April 8, 2015 due to complications from Parkinsons Disease. He was well known to an older generation of Vincentians from his 15 years in our Seminary formation programs.
From his obituary…. Jerry was born on August 5, 1932 in New York City, NY the son of the late Jerry O’Connell and Mary (Moloney) O’Connell. He was the beloved husband of 49 years of the late M. Patricia “Patty” O’Connell who died on October 8, 2008. He was the loving father of Vincent P. O’Connell and his wife Dawn O’Connell of Acton and Matthew J. O’Connell of Sudbury. Devoted grandfather of Jacob, Madeline and Taylor. Also survived by several nieces and nephews. Brother of the late Daniel “Don” O’Connell and Reverend Brian O’Connell C.M. Professor Emeritus O’Connell has resided in Sudbury for over 37 years and also resided in Geneva, Switzerland and Rosemont, PA.
He left home at the age of 13 to study in the Seminary, and was educated by the Congregation of the Mission of St. Vincent de Paul, receiving his BA in Philosophy from Mary Immaculate College in Northampton, PA. Upon leaving the Seminary after 15 years of study he received his Masters in Business Administration from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH and subsequently earned his PhD in Business Administration from Columbia Business School in New York.
He began a long and successful career in education beginning as a Professor of Management at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, where he received the Anvil Award for Excellence in Teaching, and then as the Managing Director of the Centre d’Études Industrielles (CEI), later called the International Management Institute (IMI), in Geneva, Switzerland, and then as Professor of Management and Dean of the Graduate School of Business at Bentley University where he was named Professor Emeritus of Management upon his retirement from the classroom in 2000 following 22 years of teaching.
Professor O’Connell also maintained a private practice in the field of management consulting, working with Global 100 companies in more than 20 countries. He lectured, consulted and researched on the topics of international business strategy, comparative management, governance and boards of directors, and was the author of three books and dozens of academic papers. He often traveled with his family throughout the world. He and his late wife Patty were longtime and faithful parishioners of Saint Casimir’s Parish in Maynard and Saint Joseph’s Parish in Lincoln and remained active in the affairs of these parishes.
In his earlier years, he was an avid golfer and enjoyed time spent with his family, especially his three grandchildren. He served as the Director of the Parkinson’s Support Group at Emerson Hospital for many years.
Visitations on Sunday, April 12, 2015 from 5:00 to 8:00 at the John C. Bryant Funeral Home, 56 Pemberton Road (Off Rte 30), Wayland. Family and friends may gather at the funeral home on Monday, April 13, 2015 at 9:00 am followed by his Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am at Good Shepherd Parish at St. Ann’s Church, 124 Cochituate Road (Rte 27) Wayland.
A reception will follow the Mass in the Parish Hall downstairs at St. Ann’s Church. Interment will be private for his family. In lieu of flowers gifts in his memory may be sent to the Jeremiah J. and M. Patricia O’Connell Scholarship Fund at Bentley University, 175 Forest St, Waltham, MA 02452.
For online condolences and directions please visit johncbryantfuneralhome.com.
My Father was very close to the Vincentian Family and his deep faith sustained him throughout his life. I look forward to maintaining our family’s connection to the Congregation.
Best regards,
Matt & Family