Thomas O'Connell, 88, Decorated War Veteran

Thomas P. 'Mr. O' O'Connell of Warminster, was called home on Dec. 1, 2013 surrounded by his loving family. He was 88.

Tom was the son of Nicholas and Alice Cody O'Connell. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Jane (Palmer) O'Connell; and his wife of 53 years, Edna Claire Nees O'Connell; also by his eldest son, David G. O'Connell.

He is survived by and will be greatly missed by his children, Debra O'Connell, Elise Lahr, Thomas (Pat) O'Connell Jr., Marie Wolf (Kenneth), Lois O'Connell, Alice McCarthy (James); 14 grandchildren, Janell, Alicia, Kenneth Jr., David, Cody, Joseph, Sheamus, Thomas, Seana, Casey, Mairead, Declan, Connell and Kevin; seven great-grand children; his sister, Virginia O'Connell Gilligan; and many nieces and nephews.

Tommy grew up in Willow Grove and attended Upper Moreland High School, where he played and also coached football. He enlisted in the U.S. Army at the age of 17. He served with the 7th Infantry, 3rd Division and was wounded in Anzio, Italy in 1944. He was awarded the bronze Star and the Purple Heart. He completed his high school education at Upper Moreland after being discharged from the army and graduated in 1946.

A resident of Warminster Township for 62 years, he volunteered for the Warminster Youth Football Association (Warminster Pioneers) from 1965 to 1970 as a coach, and served as president for one year. He also coached in the Warminster Boys Baseball Association as well as the Warminster Girls Softball Association. He was a member of Nativity of Our Lord Parish for 58 years. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 0308 in Willow Grove for 69 years.

A lifetime peddler - his customers lovingly coined him 'The Nasty Mr. O' and 'The Broom Tycoon'. He was most recently employed by Penn Valley Industrial Services, Inc. as well as operating his own small business.

His greatest joy was spending time with his family. He was very proud of and said that his greatest achievement was that our blended family bonded as one.

His love for Ireland led to a passion for Irish dance. He danced for the Timoney Irish Dancers owned and directed by Rosemarie Timoney for 38 years. He cherished the camaraderie as much as he enjoyed the dance itself.

Friends and family will be received from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6, at The Decker Funeral Home, 216 York Road in Warminster. A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m on Saturday, Dec. 7, at Nativity of Our Lord Church, 625 W. Street Road in Warminster. Friends will be received from 9 to 10 a.m. Interment will be in St. John Newmann Cemetery.