Francis 'Frank' D. O'Connell M.D.

HOLDEN – Francis “Frank” D. O’Connell, M.D., 77, of Plymouth Road, Holden, died peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, October 24, 2012, at UMass Memorial Health Care, University Campus. Born and raised in Providence, RI, Dr. O’Connell moved to Uxbridge, MA as a teenager. He was the son of Dr. Francis D. and Mary M. (Brady) O’Connell. He was a Holden resident for 42 years.



Dr. O’Connell was a proud graduate of Moses Brown School in Providence, Harvard University, and Columbia University where he earned his medical degree from the College of Physicians and Surgeons. Dr. O’Connell served in the United States Air Force from 1963 to 1965.



Following his residency at Massachusetts General Hospital, Peter Bent Brigham Hospital, and Children’s Hospital Medical Center, he established a practice in Worcester in 1970 as an attending Orthopedic Surgeon at the Medical Center of Central Massachusetts, now UMass Memorial Health Care. He later served at the Memorial Campus as Department Chairman of Orthopedic Surgery. He also served as Director of Orthopedic Service at New England Area Comprehensive Hemophilia Center. Most recently he truly enjoyed his role as Chief of Orthopedic Services at both Fairlawn Rehabilitation and University Commons Rehabilitation in Worcester. Dr. O’Connell remained on staff at UMass Memorial and Fairlawn until his passing. His tireless work ethic is just one of many life lessons he passed on to his grateful children.



Professionally, Dr. O’Connell was a member of the Massachusetts Orthopedic Association, Boston Orthopedic Club, American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, Worcester District Medical Society, and the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery. He was also a member of St. George Church and Tatnuck Country Club both in Worcester. In his spare time, he enjoyed playing golf, photography, traveling, and planning family vacations.



He was known affectionately to his grandchildren as “Pa” and to his family and many friends as “Brick” or “Red”. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend, and will be remembered for his kind nature, ever-present wit, and unconditional love for his family and friends.



He is survived and will be lovingly missed by his wife of 45 years, Lucille M. (Kuklinski) O’Connell; two sons, Daniel O’Connell and his wife Page of Summit, NJ and Andrew O’Connell and his wife Julie of Boston; two daughters, Amy Christopher and her husband Bruce of Brewster, MA and Rosemary O’Kieffe and her husband Jay of Arlington, VA; eight grandchildren, Scotty, Daniel, Susannah, Max, Sophie, Will, Amelia and Maggie; and a brother, Thomas O’Connell of Greensboro, NC. A brother, Brady O’Connell predeceased him.



Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, October 28, at the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street (Rte. 122A), Holden. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Monday, October 29, at St. George Church, 38 Brattle Street, Worcester. Entombment will be private at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Uxbridge. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wachusett Food Pantry, P.O. Box 62, Jefferson, MA 01522.



To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.milesfuneralhome.com