Daniel O’Connell, a longtime resident of Montclair who had a long career in accounting and founded his own firm in the township, died on Sept. 17, 2024. He was 80.
Mr. O’Connell was born in Boston and went to Boston College High School and Boston College, a “Double Eagle.” Throughout his life he was a diehard Boston College football fan.
He received a master of science from Carnegie Mellon University and served in the Navy on the USS Arlington from 1969 to 1971.
After many years with multinational accounting firms, he founded his own practice in Montclair. He served as an independent accountant for the Philanthropic Planning Group of Greater New York for more than 25 years. In 2019, he received a lifetime achievement award from that organization for services in the financial and philanthropic sector.
Mr. O’Connell loved nothing more than being with his wife, Angela, his children and grandchildren in the beautiful garden his wife created, designed and tended during the 50-plus years he lived in Montclair.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Angela Duddy O’Connell; their four children, their spouses and seven grandchildren, Nora Hart (Matthew), Ruth Maurandy (Jean-Pierre), Patrick O’Connell (Antoinette) and Sarah Eastman (Greg); his grandchildren, Danny Hart, Ginny Maurandy, Evelyne Maurandy, Brendan Eastman, Emmett Eastman, James O’Connell and Catherine O’Connell; his brother, Charles O’Connell, and his sisters, Claire O’Connell and Elizabeth Collins.
Mr. O’Connell was predeceased by his parents, Jerome and Nora O’Connell, and siblings, Katherine, Helen, William, Marie, John, Louise, Ann and Patricia.
Visitation is Tuesday, Sept. 24, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Caggiano Memorial Home for Funerals, 62 Grove St. There will be a funeral Mass on Wednesday, Sept. 25, at 10 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, 1 Munn St., with interment at Immaculate Conception Cemetery, 712 Grove St.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his name to the Autism Society of Maryland, autismsocietymd.org.
