N. William O’Connell (Bill-O) (Bompa) of Fairport, NY, formerly of Delevan, went to our heavenly father surrounded by his loving wife and family on April 21, 2024 at the age of 86. He and his wife Mary Lee (Ditz) were the parents of 7 children and were fortunate enough to celebrate their 65th Wedding Anniversary on April 4, 2024.
Bill was a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was a generous, kind person with a great sense of humor — to know him was to love him. He was born south of Bradford, PA the seventh of eight children. He graduated from St. Bernards HS in Bradford where he was a star basketball player. He received his undergraduate degree from Clarion University and received his MS in Education from St. Bonaventure University. He cherished his Irish heritage and was known for his storytelling and outgoing personality (many have enjoyed his rendition of “Oh Danny Boy”). His family was his greatest treasure, including his faithful dog Finnegan.
In 1960 he began his teaching and coaching career in Limestone, NY and quickly moved up to supervising principal. In 1966 he became high school principal at Pioneer Central School in Delevan, later moving to Junior Highadministrator and was then instrumental in developing the Pioneer Middle School. Bill loved this school dearly and served as it’s administrator until his retirement in 1992. He loved his students and staff and they loved him.
During his tenure at Pioneer, Bill served on numerous administrative committees on the State and National level. Following his retirement Bill was an adjunct professor at the Graduate School of Education at St. Bonaventure University, where he helped many teachers become excellent administrators. His final career, from 2002 – 2015, was working at the Olean Airport where he met many interesting people while being able to share his passion for flying.
Bill wore many hats during his career, from coaching various sports to driving the bus. He had a passion for flying. One of his greatest achievements was getting his private pilot’s license in 1973. He owned 2 small planes and loved giving rides to family and friends. He also enjoyed golf, bicycling, singing in the church choir and scratch –offs. He was a faithful member of Blessed Sacrament in Delevan and Saint John of Rochester in Fairport. Bill and his wife were loyal season ticket holders of their favorite basketball team the St. Bonaventure Bonnies.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Lynn (Joe) Eckl of Pittsford, Leigh of Rochester, Tim (Dana) of Charlotte, NC, Pam (John) Kaminski of Sardinia, Julie (Ans) Wishing of Murfreesboro, TN, Amy (Steve) Hyde of Lakewood, and son-in-law Rob (the late Laurie) Morrison of Fuquay-Varina, NC, 14 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by brothers King (the late Patty) O’Connell and Tom (Mary) O’Connell and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a sister, 4 brothers, as well as his beloved daughter, Laurie.
Calling hours Sunday, April 28 from 1-4 PM at Richard H. Keenan Funeral Home, 7501 Pittsford-Palmyra Rd, Fairport, NY. Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, April 29 at 11:00 AM at Saint John of Rochester, 8 WickfordWay, Fairport, NY. A livestream of Bills Mass can be found at https://www.stjohnfairport.org/streaming
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made Saint John of Rochester or to The N. William O’Connell Memorial Scholarship Fund to benefit a Pioneer student pursuing a Degree in Education, c/o Pamela Kaminski, P.O. Box 88 Sardinia, NY 14134 (pamkaminski1962@gmail.
Comments
31 responses to “O’Connell, N. William”
May you rest in peace, Cousin Bill. You, Mary Lee and family are in our prayers.
Our condolences to all the family from friends here the UK. A very special person has flown west, blue skies Bill.
Bill, and his wife Mary Lee, had an impressive and positive influence on everyone in the neighborhood where his children were raised. Thank you.
Our deepest sympathy to the family. Bill was a wonderful man and it was truly a pleasure to know him. He will be miss dearly. Rest in peace Bill.
Our deepest sympathies to your family. Bill was such a nice man and we always loved chatting with him. His love for his family was always so evident. He will be missed.
Aunt Mary Lee and all of my dear cousins my heart goes out to you for the loss of Uncle Bill. He will be greatly missed. He made me laugh with his jokes and teasing every time I saw him. And on the other hand every time he sang Oh Danny Boy it brought tears to my eyes. He left everyone with years of fond memories. Love and prayers to all of you.
Mary Lee so sorry for your loss. Hugs and kisses from your cousin Janet.
I am heartbroken to hear of Bill’s passing. He was one of a kind and loved by so many. It was my privilege to have known him. Bill was a trail blazer in so many ways. The strength he has given your family will forever be part of you.
I never thought this day would come. But I thank God for the best Father in law and friend I could ever have. Thank you Bill-O for all the amazing life lessons.
Mary Lee and family, you have our deepest sympathy. We have been honored to have known you and Bill and all the O”Connell families from Mt. Alton and Riterville. May his soul rest in peace. Frank & Joan Cahill
Our deepest condolences on the loss of your Husband, MaryLee. We will miss Bill at the Black reunion. Our thoughts and prayers to his whole family.
So sorry to hear about your loss. Our family has such fond memories of Bill and spending time with the O’Connell family – Our love & prayers to all!
Of all the stories I’ve written in my career, the one I wrote about Bill a few years ago was one of my favorites because he was such a fascinating guy. Having the opportunity to play golf with him the last several years in the Bonaventure scramble at Holiday Valley was always one of the highlights of my summer. He was one of the best people I’ve ever come across. My hearts go out to the entire O’Connell clan. You were blessed to have him as part of your lives. — Tom Missel, SBU
My husband and I are really going to miss Uncle Bill-o (or should I say Norbert). He was the fun uncle who kept tabs on my jogging mileage and welcomed my husband to the family by scaring the heck out of him in his plane. March Madness will not be the same without the trash talking texts on the virtues of St. Bonnie’s over Syracuse. You will be missed.
I am so very sorry to learn of Bill’s passing. He was one of the first, and among the finest, school administrators I was blest to know. I remember him with a quick wit and a quicker smile.
His bless you all at this time and the days ahead.
My deepest condolences to family of Bill O’Connell ! Bill and started teaching together and left the same year at Limestone High School! We both enjoyed that school and had so many pleasurable moments! Also we went different paths we will cherish our time together! God bless Marlea and your children! I know what you are going through as I lost my “ Marcia” in 2013! Much love Bill Barto
So sorry for your loss he was a wonderful man he will be missed Annette and Robert Ensell
Sending our Heartfelt condolences.
My sincere condolences to family and friends. Bill was a wonderful man.
Rest In Peace my very good friend and classmate. I’ll always cherish the great memories that we shared over the years starting in 1953. Today I lost a very good friend and the world lost a super human being. My prayers are with you, Mary Lee and family. Thanks Bill for being my friend.
Bill lit up the room and brought a smile to everyone’s face. It was a joy and honor to have known him.
MaryLee & family, our sincere sympathy to you all on the loss of Bill. He was an incredible person. Wishing you comfort as you mourn and celebrate his legacy.
God bless,
The Hilmes & Blaisdell families
I was fortunate to know Mr. O,Connell first as my high school principal (that’s why he’s Mr. O’Connell to me), then as my supervising principal for a couple years when I was a straight -out-of college English teacher at Pioneer. He and his family were also my Delevan neighbors as everyone is a neighbor in those small towns. I also babysat for his children. In all of this roles to me, Mr. O was always a kind, encouraging presence, a trusted mentor. I consider it a gift that I knew him.
My sympathy to his wife and all of his family in the loss of a wonderful man.
I am deeply sorry for your loss. Mr. O’Connell was a wonderful man, and his memory will forever shine brightly in your hearts.
My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
On behalf of the entire Wandering Golf League, we wish sincere condolences to the O’Connell Family on your loss. Whenever Bill joined us in the Adirondacks or in Rome, NY he radiated joy, laughter, wisdom and an inner peace that enhanced the experience for all involved. Whether hitting great shots on the course or regaling us with stories by the camp fire, Bill was a role model for us all. May he rest in peace.
We are very sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. Our condolences to you Mary Lee and your family. We shared many laughs at our golf outings both here and in Canada. I (Bob), felt honored to have shared my administrative work with Bill; He was truly an outstanding Principal of our Middle School and a Leader in the community. Our sincere sympathy, Ann and Bob Warner
Bona Nation hurts with this loss! I have had the fortunate opportunity to be around and meet many great Bona people. My opportunity to meet and get to know Bill was absolutely a highlight for me that ended up being a cherished friendship that was reinforced whenever we crossed paths.
My heart hurts, but because of all the good that he represented. Thoughts are with!
Rest in peace, Cousin Bill. It was such an honor to sing Danny Boy with you at the last family reunion.
You accomplished so much in your life and obviously touched so many people.. You made the world a better place!
My condolences to Mary and family.
i remember going to their house on weekends as a kid to hanging out with Tim and others since there was always something sports oriented going on…….they were always very nice to me not to mention a pretty damn good principle too…my condolences to the entire family.
Bill was someone who always had a genuine interest in others. He lived a faithful life, loved his family and others, and brought energy whereever he went. Mary Lee, our hearts go out to you and your family. You are in our prayers.
So sorry to hear that we lost Bill. Condolences to Mary Lee and family. He was always an inspiration and thoughtful friend. Doug and I enjoyed some great times visiting your young family in Delevan. I felt that Bill gave me the confidence to be a better teacher. My only regret is not flying over Rushford Lake for pictures. Rest in peace Bill.