Kevin J. O'Connell of Marshfield, formerly of Savin Hill, Bow and Keene, New Hampshire, and Long Valley, New Jersey passed peacefully in his home, surrounded by his loving family, on Monday, July 13, 2026. He was 78.

Born at Harley Private Hospital on December 29, 1947, Kevin was the son of the late Jeremiah and Gertrude (Hughes) O'Connell. Raised in Dorchester and Quincy, he carried the spirit of those neighborhoods with him throughout his life. He attended Saint Williams School in Savin Hill and graduated with the North Quincy High School Class of 1965. Kevin went on to attend Saint Anselm College, where he made lifelong friends- affectionately known as The Doorknobs.

Kevin met the love of his life in high school, the late Esther A. Croft, and the two married soon after. Following their wedding, Kevin enlisted in the National Guard, where he received training at Fort Gordon, Georgia, and remained an active member for five years. After his training, he moved to Keene, NH, with Esther and began building their family.

Kevin loved being a father and grandfather, showing up for every regatta, volleyball match, soccer, and baseball game, and all the performances in between. He often said how 'special' it was to have such a tight-knit family, and he considered himself a very lucky Granda. His Irish pride was woven into daily life- often punctuated by four leaf clover emojis in his text messages.

His life revolved around his grandchildren who ultimately became an essential part of his care team, helping with his daily routine and bringing joy with their presence.

In retirement, Kevin cherished family trips to Lincoln, NH, where they owned a condo for 28 years. He shared treasured memories of traveling with Esther to Key West, and San Francisco.

Bermuda was their honeymoon destination, and they celebrated their twenty-fifth anniversary in Tahiti. Kevin had immense pride in his Marshfield home, tending to flower planting each spring to ensure his friends and family could enjoy summer days by the pool.

Kevin was the beloved husband of the late Esther A. O'Connell of Marshfield. The two were married on June 6, 1970, in St. Agatha Parish in Milton. Together, they shared fifty-two loving years of marriage. He was the devoted father of Kathleen A. O'Connell of Hanover, Kevin M. O'Connell of Andover, and the late Maureen K. O'Connell. Kevin was the loving grandfather of Maureen, Bridget, and Patrick McGonagle, of Hingham; Faith and Hope O'Connell, of Andover;

Siri and Connor O'Connell, of Pelham, New Hampshire; and MacKenzie and Bailey O'Connell, of Atkinson, New Hampshire. Loving cousin of Angela Finney and her late husband Doug of Concord, New Hampshire and Daniel McDonald of Pembroke. Kevin is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to greet the family during the visiting hours on Sunday, July 19, 2026, 2-6 PM in the Keohane Funeral Home, 785 Hancock St., QUINCY.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held in the funeral home at 9:30 AM on Monday, July 20, 2026, prior to the Funeral Mass in St. Agatha's Parish, Milton, at 10:30 AM. Cremation will follow. Interment is private. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Kevin may be made to Croí Health, 120 Longwater Drive, Norwell, MA 02061.