Thomas P. O’Connell of Howell died peacefully in his sleep on Sept. 6 at the age of 84.
O’Connell is being remembered for his great generosity; his trademark smile, stories and distinctive laugh; and his commitment to leaving the world a better place. In addition to supporting numerous community organizations, he was also a proud member of Alcoholics Anonymous for 35 years, credited with changing countless lives in addition to his own.
In addition to his work in the community and with others, O’Connell was an entrepreneur who owned many businesses, including the Howell Soft Cloth Car Wash and gas station on Michigan Avenue for 43 years. It was one of the last places that filled your tank for you — “at pump your own prices” — a practice that stopped when he sold the business in 2023.
Contributions in O’Connell’s memory can be made to the Livingston County Alano Club, P.O. Box 567, Brighton, Mich., 48116, or Livingston Women’s Club, P.S. Box 435, Brighton, Mich. 48116.
Visitation is set for 3-7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12, at Watkins Brothers Funeral Homes, MacDonald Chapel, 315 N. Michigan Ave. in Howell; a rosary service will begin at 6:30 p.m. A funeral mass is set for 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 13, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 2099 N. Hacker Road in Howell. He will be laid to rest at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery, 25800 W. 10 Mile Road in Southfield, at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 14. Everyone is welcome to attend and celebrate O’Connell’s life and legacy.
You can read his entire obituary by clicking here.
