Biography

12/26/1923 - 01/31/2004

Francis J “Frank” O'Connell, Jr. (R20) Bradford (Part), Luzerne (Part), Monroe (Part), Pike, Wayne, Wyoming Counties, 1979-1982 (R20) Luzerne (Part), Monroe (Part), Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne, Wyoming Counties, 1983-1986

Early Life:

Francis J “Frank” O'Connell, Jr., born December 26, 1923, Larksville, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania; son of Frank and Mary Elizabeth Harkins O'Connell; Saint Mary’s High School, Wilkes-Barre; United States Army, two years, Europe, World War II; restaurateur, Kingston House restaurant, Columbia Catering; elected, Kingston Borough Council, 1960-1971; elected, Republican, Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, 1967-1978, elected, House Minority Caucus Chairman, 1975-1976; not a candidate for reelection, 1978; elected, Republican, Pennsylvania State Senate, 1979-August 31, 1985; married, Mary Agnes Kelly O'Connell, children, Frank J. O'Connell III, Mollie Phillips, Kingston, Sharon Considine; died, January 31, 2004 (aged 80), Port Saint Lucie, Saint Lucie County, Florida; interment, Mount Olivet Cemetery, Carverton, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. 

Professional titles; business ownership; board memberships; local government; club memberships:

Member, Independent Fire Company, Kingston; Arthrosclerosis League, Farmers Association; Boy Scouts of America; King's College Founders Board, Anthracite Post Veterans of Foreign Wars No. 296; Elks Club; fourth-degree, Knights of Columbus Council 302 Bishop Hafey Assembly, Wilkes-Barre; president, Luzerne County Association of Boroughs, Northeast Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Restaurant Association; senior vice commander, Black Diamond American Legion Post 395; director, Hoyt Library, Kingston.

Award name(s): 

Junior Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Young Man of the Year; Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick Man of the Year; Hoyt Library Man of the Year. 

Pennsylvania Politics:

Elected, Kingston Borough Council, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, 1960-1971.

Elected, Republican, Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, 120th district, Luzerne County, 1967-1978; elected, House Minority Caucus Chairman, 1975-1976; appointed, Joint State Government Commission, 1975-1976; not a candidate for reelection, 1978.

Elected, Republican, Pennsylvania State Senate, 20th district, Bradford (Part), Luzerne (Part), Monroe (Part), Pike, Wayne, Wyoming Counties, 1979-1982; Republican, Pennsylvania State Senate, 20th district, Luzerne (Part), Monroe (Part), Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne, Wyoming Counties, 1983-1986; appointed, Pennsylvania Commission on Interstate Cooperation, 1979-1980; appointed, Legislative Budget and Finance Committee, 1979-1984; resigned, August 31, 1985, Charles Lemmond seated November 20, 1985.

Pennsylvania State House of Representatives Biography:

Official Website - PA House Archives Official Website (state.pa.us)

Cited:

Cox, Harold. "Senate Members O". Wilkes University Election Statistics Project. Wilkes University.

Cox, Harold (2004). "Pennsylvania Senate - 1985-1986" (PDF). Wilkes University Election Statistics Project. Wilkes University.

Francis J “Frank” O'Connell Jr. (1923-2004) - Find a Grave Memorial