O’CONNELL, EDWIN T.

“Click,” 94, passed away on February 14, 2017 at JFK Medical Center in Edison, NJ. Ed was born in Bayonne, and has resided there lifelong. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II (1943 – 1945). He was assigned to the 137th Infantry Regiment, 35th Division and took part in the Normandy Invasion and Battle of the Bulge, where he received two Purple Hearts and a Combat Infantryman’s Badge. Upon discharge from the Army, Ed and his Brother John “Harp” O’Connell became standout soccer players and are acknowledged in the Soccer Hall of Fame. Ed coached teams with the Bayonne Little League, and baseball and basketball teams for the Bayonne P.A.L. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, and Disabled American Veterans. Husband of the late Adelaide (nee: Gibbons). Father of Thomas O’Connell and his Wife Joan, Karen Bednarski and her Husband George, James O’Connell and his Wife Joann, Edwin O’Connell, Jr. and his Wife Irene. Companion of Angie Cerbone and her Children Marilyn, Frankie and Debbie and their families. Brother of Kathleen Costello and the late John “Harp” O’Connell, Eugene “Smitty” O’Connell, and Helen Keller. Brother-In-Law of the late Julie O’Connell. Grandfather of Kara Viscito and her Husband Ray, Bryan O’Connell, Meghan Pringle and her Husband Casey, Brandon O’Connell, Sean O’Connell, Nicole Panzarella and her Husband Joey, Craig Sansig and the late George Bednarski, Jr. and his living Wife Nanci. Great-Grandfather of Patrick and Juliana Bednarski, Erik, Marvin and Samantha Viscito, Layla and Addy Pringle. He is also survived by many Nieces & Nephews. In lieu of flowers, make donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Funeral arrangements by G. KEENEN O’BRIEN Funeral Home, 984 Avenue C.