Matthew Joseph O'Connell

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O'Connell, Matthew Joseph of New Hope, MN passed away on June 7th, 2024. He was born on September 28th, 1943 in The Bronx, NY. He spent his formative years in the Bronx and Queens in New York City, NY until his high school graduation in 1962, then on to the U.S. Navy in 1963. His Basic Training at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center brought him just north of Chicago, IL, then upon completion, naval schooling taking him to Memphis, TN for awhile, then onto Ventura, CA. After schooling was completed, he was stationed in San Diego, CA, where he met his future wife, Dorothy Jean Korbel. Matt and Dorothy were married in 1968 to begin a 54 year marriage (physically ending in November 2022 with Dorothy's passing), which also produced two sons, Paul and Matthew. The family returned to Dorothy's home state of Minnesota in 1975, where Matthew Joseph O'Connell was employed several years at Starkey Laboratories (hearing-aid manufacturer) in Eden Prairie, MN as a hearing audiologist, before pursuing various self-employment opportunities starting with his first business Educational Enterprises in 1978, primarily as a freelance writer. Over the course of the next 22+ years, and several company start ups, he would also delve into other such aspects as photography and computer generated graphics advertising later on, although writing was always his passion. Eventually getting back into the regular workforce (also as a freelance writer) for Fortis/ Hartford Life, Allianz, and finally Lawson/ Infor, until his retirement in 2013. He was preceded by 4 brothers and 2 sisters (Stephen, Joseph, Grace, James, Eleanor, and Frank), as well as his parents Stephen and Sarah O'Connell (nee Walsh). He is survived by his two sons, Paul Jeffrey and Matthew Stephen O'Connell. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11am, Tuesday, July 2nd at St. Joseph Catholic Community, 8701 36th Avenue North, New Hope, MN with visitation 1 hour prior to the service. Interment will be at Gethsemane Catholic Cemetery, New Hope. Washburn-McReavy.com Glen Haven Chapel 763-533-8643 5125 W. Broadway, Crystal

Published on June 30, 2024