Obituaries

-- Matt Schudel

J. Donald HuppertFBI Assistant Section Chief

J. Donald Huppert, 86, an FBI special agent who became an assistant chief in the agency's investigative division, died June 2 at Sunrise assisted living home in Falls Church. He had coronary artery disease.

Mr. Huppert worked for the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 1947 to 1975 and had been based at the headquarters since 1962. He retired as assistant chief of the investigative division's criminal section.

From 1987 to 1999, he worked for the Greenbelt-based MSM Security Services as a security clearance investigator for military and intelligence organizations.

James Donald Huppert was born in Detroit and grew up in Terre Haute, Ind. He graduated in 1947 from what is now Indiana State University.

During World War II, he served in the Marine Corps and was a platoon leader during the Okinawa campaign. His decorations included the Purple Heart.

He was a founding member of the Poplar Heights Recreation Association in Falls Church, and he also belonged to the Army Navy Country Club. He participated in a Falls Church bowling league before moving to Sunrise in 2006.

Mr. Huppert did volunteer work for the Northern Virginia Swimming League in the 1950s and 1960s and later for the Republican Party. He enjoyed golfing, studying biblical archaeology and Shakespeare, and playing trumpet along with his swing record collection.

His wife of 56 years, Maxine Rice "Mike" Huppert, died in 2005.

Survivors include three daughters, Sally Brady of Detroit, Nancy Humphreys of Pensacola, Fla., and Susan Herrington of Ashburn; five grandchildren; and two great-granddaughters.

-- Adam Bernstein

Thomas A. O'ConnellDeputy Fire Chief

Thomas Aquinas O'Connell, 81, a retired deputy fire chief in the District, died June 24 of congestive heart failure at Casey House hospice in Rockville. He was a Silver Spring resident.

Mr. O'Connell was born in the District. When he was 2, his mother died, and he was placed in St. Joseph's Home and School for Boys for several years. He attended Central High School but dropped out to enlist in the Army at age 16, following in the footsteps of his four older brothers. Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson recognized the O'Connells' rare simultaneous service with a letter to their father.

Mr. O'Connell was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his service in the Rhineland and Central European campaigns. He also participated in the Battle of the Bulge.

He was called back to active duty as a military policeman during the Korean War before joining the D.C. fire department in 1953. He became one of six deputy fire chiefs in 1980. He received a number of commendations for heroism and bravery and retired in 1983.

Mr. O'Connell was involved with scouting when his sons were growing up and coached a variety of sports teams in Catholic Youth Organization leagues.

He was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Forest Glen and was a senior officer in the Irish American Club of Washington. He also was active in the International Association of Fire Fighters until ill health curtailed his participation.

Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Ellen Bridget Boyle O'Connell of Silver Spring; three children, Dennis O'Connell of Chevy Chase, Edward O'Connell of Santa Monica, Calif., and Margaret Laferty of Silver Spring; a sister, Mary Gentile of Silver Spring; and two grandchildren.

-- Joe Holley