This Guestbook has been created as a tribute to
William J. O'Connell

I wish we could be there for the service to pay our respects, but our thoughts and prayers are with the O'Connell family. May God rest Uncle Billy's soul.
Daniel & Mary-Margaret Matranga (Tyler, Texas)

Uncle Billy, you will be missed here but we all know you are so happy in heaven with Jesus and family and many of them, We will meet again when Jesus calls our name. You were one of a kind and I bet you have a Red Sox Banner up there. Love and say hi to my mom, and dad and all of the others.
Love,
Barbara and Joe Matranga (Houston, Texas)

Billy was very special to everyone. He reminded me of my Grandma because they were brother and sister. I am so glad we got to see him when we lived in NYC. I miss seeing all of you and hope to again really soon. :) Love
Stefani and Paolo (Marina del Rey, California)

WE ALL KNOW MY FATHERS WAS A SIMPLE AND UNCOMPLICATED MAN,
BUT HE WOULD BE AMAZED AT THE OUTPOURING OF THOUGHTS AND
PRAYERS ON HIS BEHALF. MY MOTHER, ROSE, AND OUR FAMILY ARE
SO GRATEFUL FOR ALL THE KINDNESS EXTENDED TO US AT THIS
SADDEST OF TIMES. THANK YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH FOR YOUR
SUPPORT.

MY FATHER WAS A LUNCH PAIL GUY FROM MINOT STREET, DORCHESTER, AN ELECTRICIAN BY TRADE. HE WORKED FOR OVER
40 YEARS AT THE FORE RIVER SHIPYARD. HE NEVER CALLED IT
BETHLEHEM STREEL, GENERAL DYNAMICS OR THE MWRA. IT WAS
SIMPLY THE SHIPYARD. THE WORK WAS HARD AND SOMETIMES
DANGEROUS. HE RARELY TOOK A SICK OR PERSONAL DAY. HE
NEVER WANTED ANY OF HIS KIDS TO WORK THERE. HE WAS A UNION
MAN, WHO TOOK HIS PLACE ON THE PICKET LINE MANY TIMES. HE
LINKED ARMS WITH HIS UNION BROTHERS TO HOLD THE LINE AND
NEVER CROSSED IT.

MY PARENTS WERE MARRIED ALMOST 62 YEARS AGO---4/25/1948.
THEY RAISED THEIR FAMILY OF 4---MARY, BILLY, TOMMY AND
JOANIE ON QUINCY AVENUE, OUR FAMILY HOME. WE WERE MY
FATHER'S 4 MUSKETEERS. IN GOOD TIMES AND BAD WE STICK
TOGETHER. MY PARENTS REMAINED DEVOTED TO EACH OTHER, IN
SPITE OF THEIR HEALTH PROBLEMS. THEY WERE DETERMINED TO
REMAIN IN THE FAMILY HOME TOGETHER.

MY FATHER'S PRIDE AND JOY WERE HIS 5 GRANDCHILDREN AND
1 GREAT GRANDSON---ANDY, JENNY, KEVIN, JOHN, ROSEMARY
AND LITTLE TOMMY. HE HAD A SPECIAL BOND WITH EACH CHILD
AND WAS SO VERY PROUD OF EACH ONE. HE ENJOYED ALL THEIR
BALLGAMES, PLAYS, DANCES AND SCHOOL ACTIVITIES. EVEN WHEN HIS HEALTH PREVENTED HIM FROM ATTENDING, HE WAS THE FIRST
TO ASK--"HOW DID IT GO." HE WAS ALWAYS INTERESTED AND SO
VERY PROUD OF THEM.

NOW LITTLE TOMMY LIVES UPSTAIRS AND PLAYS IN THE SAME YARD
WE PLAYED IN, SO VERY LONG AGO. "HOW GREAT IS THAT" HE
WOULD SAY.

FOR A QUITE MAN, THE HOUSE SEEMS SO EMPTY WITHOUT HIM.
BUT HE RAISED A LOVING FAMILY, WHO MISS HIM ALREADY. WE
CAN ONLY SAY;

GOOD JOB, THANKS FOR EVERYTHING, PA. WE LOVE AND MISS YOU,
SO VERY MUCH.

EULOGY FROM HIS DAUGHTER, MARY

I know there isn't anything I could say to bring him back..but just know that he was a great man & left a legacy with his children & future generations.. I know he will never be forgotten..Wishing you God's peace and comfort..I know my grandma loved her brother very much! God Bless you all..
Bridget Alice Matranga (Houston, TX)



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