James W. O'Connell

James W. O’Connell Athol – James W. O’Connell, 82, of Bigelow Road, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, November 16, 2014 surrounded by his loving family.      Jim was born March 14, 1932 in Athol, MA, the son of Walter and Grace (Day) O’Connell.  He has lived in Athol all of his life, graduating from Athol High School in 1952.  He was a member of the Army National Guard for nine years with the 181st Co Infantry.       Jim worked at the L.S. Starrett Company for 44 years, retiring in 1996 as a supervisor.   When he started with the company he completed the tool maker’s course and worked on most every machine in the plant during his career.         Jim was a member of the Athol-Orange Baptist Church, the Starrett 25 year club, the Athol-Orange Lodge of Elks, and the South Athol Men’s Club.  He enjoyed gardening, raising chickens, and was able to work on anything and everything. Jim loved his family and enjoyed times spent with them.  He especially loved and enjoyed his baby great-grandson, Caison.       He leaves his wife of 61 years, Cynthia M. (Fellows) O’Connell; his daughter Peggy Bariloni and her husband Rev. Mark; his sister, Phyllis Bowker and her husband Doug of Athol; a daughter-in-law, Andrea O’Connell of Worcester; a granddaughter, Ciera Vitale and her husband Brey of Athol; two step-grandchildren, Alex and Elizabeth Tempesta of Worcester; a great- grandson, Caison Vitale; two step-great grandchildren, Derek and Nicole Tempesta and many nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by a son Michael in 2012 and a brother Roy O’Connell.        Funeral services will be held Wednesday, November 19, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. at Higgins-O’Connor Funeral Home, 146 Main Street, Athol with the Rev. Mark D. Bariloni, pastor of the Athol-Orange Baptist Church officiating.  There will be a calling hour on Wednesday from noon until the time of the service and burial will follow in South Cemetery in Orange.  In lieu of flowers the family suggests donation in Jim’s name may be made to the Gideon’s International, Franklin County Camp, P.O. Box 973, Greenfield, MA 01302 or the Athol-Orange Baptist Church, 131 Ridge Avenue, Athol, MA 01331. For further information or to share a memory with the family go to: www.higginsoconnorfuneralhome.com. $(document).ready(function(){ });