Thomas P. O’Connell, 82

Thomas P. O’Connell, 82 Thomas P. O’Connell, 82 of Princeton Junction, New Jersey died Monday, March 7, 2016. Thomas was born in Boston on March 10, 1933 and raised in Braintree, Massachusetts. He was a successful coach at both the high school and collegiate levels. During his lifetime, he served in the US Army, was a teacher, coach and a guidance counselor. He graduated from the University of Connecticut where he played basketball and was the captain of the baseball team. After graduating from University of Connecticut, he briefly played professionally with the Kansas City A’s before earning his master’s degree at Suffolk University. Over his lifetime, he directed the Ted Williams Baseball camp and coached baseball at Brandeis University from 1972-1981. Then, he moved his family to Princeton Junction, New Jersey to coach for the Princeton Tigers from 1982-1997. During this time, he worked very closely with the Babe Ruth Association too. After retiring from Princeton University, he went on to coach in the Cape Cod Baseball League for the Hyannis Mets, Cotuit Kettlers and even scouted for the Cincinnati Reds. He is a member of the ABCA Hall of Fame, the Brandeis Hall of Fame and the Babe Ruth Hall of Fame. Husband of the late Jean O’Connell, he is survived by his daughter JoAnne Walker, son Tim O’Connell, son in law Michael Walker, daughter in law Heather O’Connell and his five grandchildren Isabella, Delaney, Kyle, Jack and Jake. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am on Monday, March 14, 2016 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church. Friends may call on Sunday, March 13, 2016 from 4-7pm at The Mather-Hodge Funeral Home 40 Vandeventer Avenue, Princeton. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to alz.org, Thomas P. O’Connell tribute fund.