Robert “Bob” O’Connell

February 28, 1949 – October 2, 2026

Robert “Bob” O’Connell, a longtime resident of Brookline, New Hampshire, passed away peacefully on October 2, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.

Born on February 28, 1949, Bob was raised in Bedford, Massachusetts, where he grew up and began building the strong foundation of family, friendship, hard work, and dedication that would remain hallmarks of his life.

Bob enjoyed a long and successful career in the paper pulp industry, working as a field service engineer. His career took him across the United States and around the world, allowing him to travel extensively and experience places and cultures that few people have the opportunity to see. He took great pride in his work, his technical expertise, and the many relationships he developed throughout his career.

Bob was an accomplished athlete and had a lifelong passion for sports. Whether participating himself or cheering from the sidelines, sports were an important part of his life. He especially enjoyed watching his family play, taking great pride in their accomplishments and always being one of their biggest supporters.

He was an enthusiastic cook who enjoyed preparing meals and sharing them with family and friends. He was also an avid history buff, with a genuine curiosity about the people, events, and stories that shaped the world around him.

One of Bob’s proudest accomplishments was building the family home in Brookline alongside his father, with the help of family and friends. What began as a project built with hard work, teamwork, and a lot of memories became the place he called home for nearly 50 years. It was more than a house–it was where his family grew, gathered, and created countless memories together.

Bob took great pride in his yard and spent many hours keeping it just right. He also carried on a years-long, no-holds-barred battle with the Eastern chipmunks. The chipmunks may have won a few battles, but Bob never gave them the satisfaction of winning the war.

Bob had a wonderful sense of humor and loved making people laugh. He was always ready with a good-natured prank, a quick joke, or a perfectly timed comment. His playful spirit and ability to find humor in everyday moments brought smiles and laughter to those around him.

Bob believed strongly in giving back to his community. He served as a volunteer firefighter and as a youth coach, generously giving his time and energy to help others. For many years, Bob brought Christmas cheer to the community as its beloved Santa Claus, delighting children and families with his warmth, humor, and generous spirit. Through these roles, he formed lasting friendships and had a positive impact on many young people and families in the community.

For Bob, however, his greatest accomplishments were found not in the places he traveled, the work he performed, or the activities he pursued, but in the life he built with his family. He was a devoted husband, family man, and friend who valued time spent with the people he loved.

Bob is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Donna Armstrong O’Connell, with whom he shared a remarkable life and enduring partnership. Their 55 years together were filled with love, family, adventures, and countless memories He is also survived by his children, Timothy O’Connell and his wife, Kristen, of Milford, NH; Michael O’Connell and his wife, Gailute, of Holden, MA; Thomas O’Connell and his wife, Stacie, of Fort Collins, CO; and daughter Kate and her husband, Jonathan Gray, of Victor, ID. He was a proud grandfather to nine grandchildren: Ben, Evan, Will, Chase, Ausra, Haley, Lukas, Vaughn, and Jonny, who brought him great joy and were an important part of his life. He also leaves behind a large and loving extended family, five sisters, one brother and numerous nieces and nephews from both his and his wife’s family.

He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, former colleagues, fellow firefighters, their families, and all those fortunate enough to have known him. Bob leaves behind a legacy of love, dedication, service, and a life well lived.

Memorial donations may be made to Every Kids Sports, honoring his love of sports and his belief that every child deserves the opportunity to play, belong, and experience the joy of being part of a team. https://pass.everykidsports.org/donate/ or to the Brookline Volunteer Firefighters Association Inc., 4 Bond Street, Brookline, NH 03033 (Tax ID 02-051933), in honor of his many years of dedicated service as a volunteer firefighter and his commitment to helping protect and serve the Brookline community.