O'CONNELL, Howard T.
Howard T. O'Connell Sr., 97, of Glastonbury, passed away on Thursday (June 9, 2011). He was the beloved husband of Barbara (Farrell) O'Connell for 66 years. Howard was born Feb. 17, 1914, in Bristol to the late Jeremiah and Mary (Bresnahan) O'Connell and was raised in Hartford. A lifelong music lover, he studied vocal performance at the Juilliard School in New York City and at the Hartt School of Music. He was a founder of the University of Hartford's Alumni Association and served as its president for five years. In 1964 he was named Alumnus of the Year by the University of Hartford and the Hartt School. Howard performed as a vocalist at many prominent venues, including New York City's Carnegie Hall, Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, and Riverside Church, and directed and sang in countless choirs and other vocal groups throughout his life. Howard worked tirelessly to support his wife and nine children. He was a music teacher in the Hartford Public School System for 25 years, ran a private vocal-training studio, distributed the Hartford Times, and, along with his late brother, J. Benedict O'Connell, managed O'Connell Real Estate in Glastonbury for several years. Later in life he worked for the State of Connecticut Department of Social Services. Howard was a founding member and Trustee of St. Dunstan Church in Glastonbury and served faithfully as a lector, cantor and choir member. Since moving to Glastonbury 60 years ago, he took an active interest in the development of the town and was a proponent of affordable housing and preserving open land. In addition to singing, he enjoyed golf, gardening, word puzzles, storytelling and rooting for the Boston Red Sox. Howard will be remembered for his unmatched wit and his loving devotion to his family. Besides his cherished wife, he is survived by his children Howard (Darlene) O'Connell of Glastonbury; Kathleen (Kevin) Murphy of Vernon; Mary (Gary) Pouliot of Hebron; Margaret (Jim) Collenberg of Great Falls, VA; David (Gwen) O'Connell of Davenport, IA; Ellen (Ken) Nosal of East Hampton; James (Beth) O'Connell of Glastonbury; and Peter (Ginger) O'Connell of Manchester. Howard also leaves 16 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his daughter Anne Louise O'Connell.
His family will receive relatives and friends at the Farley-Sullivan Funeral Home, 50 Naubuc Ave., Glastonbury, on Sunday, June 12, from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12 p.m. on Monday, June 13, at St. Dunstan Church, 1345 Manchester Rd., Glastonbury. Burial will follow at St. Augustine Cemetery, Hopewell Rd., South Glastonbury. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Howard's name may be made to St. Dunstan Church or to Catholic Charities, 839-841 Asylum Ave. Hartford, CT 06105-2801.
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