Southborough – Charles “Ray” O”Connell, 81, a lifelong resident of Southborough, passed away peacefully Wednesday, May 28, 2014 at St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester after a short illness. He was the husband of Kathleen (DePatie) O”Connell for 43 years.
Ray was a 1950 graduate of the former Peter's High School of Southborough and attended Bentley College in Waltham. He was also with the Army National Guard.
He served the Town of Southborough for 40 years, retiring as a police sergeant in 1987. His duties over the years included that of Court Officer at the Westborough District Court. After retirement, he continued to work for the department as a Special Officer.? Ray also served as the Town Constable and was on the Southborough Personnel Board for a number of years.
He was a member of St. Matthew Parish in Southborough, and was active in Southborough youth sports while his children participated. Ray could frequently be found keeping busy working on his yard, swimming in his pool and on police details around town. He was an avid Boston sports fan and enjoyed watching Red Sox, Celtics and Patriots games any night of the week. In the winter months, he enjoyed spending time at his retirement home in Englewood, Fla. However, his greatest joy was time spent with his family, especially his grandchildren.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, son Michael O’Connell and his wife Wendy of Southborough and his grandchildren Sadie and Jake, and daughter Katie O’Connell of Davidson, N.C.; his sister, Jean McCarthy and her husband Paul of Marlborough; and many nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours will be held Sunday, June 1, from 3 – 6 p.m., at the Morris Funeral Home, 40 Main St., Southborough. A Mass of Christian burial will be held Monday, June 2, at 10 a.m., at St. Matthew Church, Highland Street, Southborough. Burial will follow in Lakeview Cemetery in Upton.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Reliant Medical Group Foundation's Oncology Fund, 100 Front St., Worcester, MA 01608. Online donations in Ray's memory may be made at www.reliantfoundation.org. Funds will help provide grants for patients of the Oncology Department to assist with costs for care in excess of those covered by insurance.
To leave words of condolences for the family, please visit www.morrisfuneralparlor.com.
