J. M. Brian O'Connell, MD

Dr. J. M Brian O’Connell

January 17, 1934 – June 16, 2023

Joseph Mary Brian O’Connell, formerly of 3 Coot Terrace, Portlaiose, Ireland.

Predeceased by: his parents Michael O’Connell, MD and Agnes Barry O’Connell of Portlaiose; his siblings Liam G. MD (Pauline nee Dunn MD), Frances X. MD (Enid nee Carton), Mary O’Mara (Peter), the Very Reverend Michael Barry O’Connell (PP Balyna Parish), and Geraldine; and his beloved daughter Geraldine Therese Pitsinger (Todd).

He is survived by: his dear wife of sixty-five years, Bridget Ann nee Dowling; his seven surviving children Mary Frances Feord, Bridget Garback (Greg), Christina O’Connell, Elizabeth O’Connell (Ridgley Cinquegrana), Patricia Connally (Tom), Michael O’Connell (Ashana nee Andrew) and Clare O’Connell (Marco Porcellana); as well as many loved grandchildren and great grandchildren.

In his youth, Brian attended Clongowes Wood College, where he excelled in sports, especially hurdles and rugby. He then attended University College Dublin (UCD), winning his colours on the rugby team. He studied medicine at UCD, excelling academically and earning many awards and gold medals at the top in his class. He then interned at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, before leaving to study in the United States. He interned further at Seton Hall University, followed by research studies at Johns Hopkins and then Georgetown, where he served as Chief Medical Resident. He then joined Georgetown Nephrology, where he continued his research, taught, and took care of patients. He subsequently joined the Veterans Administration (VA) Hospital and became an Associate Professor at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Along with research and patient care, he ran the VA residency program for George Washington and trained numerous other doctors, including many foreign students. He also became a subject matter expert and significantly contributed to the development of the groundbreaking Electronic Health Record System during the 1980s and 1990s, as the D.C. VA Hospital was one of the primary beta testing sites. He retired as the Associate Chief of Medicine of the VA.

Brian met his beautiful bride Ann, the light of his life, in Kilkee, Ireland, in 1954. Their love was the bedrock of his life ever since. They had eight children and a beautiful circle of friends. Brian was especially thankful for all the Irish expat friends that kept them feeling like home away from home, as well as all the welcoming American friends that became part of the extended family.

Brian was an amazing man—a doctor, medical researcher, professor, general contractor, auto mechanic, soccer coach, and charming host of countless parties and events, to name a few of the various roles he played. He was devoted to his family and his Catholic faith, regularly attended mass, and had a strong devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Incredibly, he was called to the Lord on this very feast day in 2023. He lived a long and beautiful life and will be sorely missed by all of those who knew him. May his soul, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

The family will host visitors and friends at Money and King Funeral Home, 171 Maple Ave Vienna, VA 22180, on Tuesday June 20 between 4:00-7:00 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am on Wednesday June 21 at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church, 101 Oakcrest Manor Drive, Leesburg, VA 20176. A brief reception will follow the mass in Fellowship Hall, and the burial will be at 2:00 pm at Fairfax Memorial Park, 9902 Braddock Road Fairfax, VA 22032.