Greg O'Connell
Greg O'Connell | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Gregory Cornelius O'Connell Jr. April 8, 1942 New York City, U.S. |
| Died | August 2, 2025 (aged 83) Geneseo, New York, U.S. |
| Alma mater | State University of New York at Geneseo |
| Occupation | Property developer |
| Spouse |
Elizabeth DiCasoli (m. 1977) |
Gregory Cornelius O'Connell Jr. (April 8, 1942 – August 2, 2025) was an American property developer.[1][2]
Early life and career
O'Connell was born in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Gregory O'Connell Sr., a police officer, and Marguerite Vascimini. He attended and graduated from Holy Cross High School. After graduating, he attended the State University of New York at Geneseo, earning his bachelor's degree in teaching, which after earning his degree, he joined the New York City Police Department.[3][4] Over the years working in the police department, he was promoted to the rank of detective.[5]
In 1981, O'Connell retired his position as detective from the police department.[3] After retiring, he worked as a property developer. He gained popularity after redeveloping the neighborhood and local economy of Red Hook, Brooklyn,[4][6] and in 2011, The New York Times named him "Red Hook's largest landowner".[7]
Personal life and death
In 1977, O'Connell married Elizabeth DiCasoli. Their marriage lasted until O'Connell's death in 2025.[3]
O'Connell died of pancreatic cancer at his home in Geneseo, New York, on August 2, 2025, at the age of 83.[3]
References
- ^ "New York's Red Hook: an inner-city model". Honolulu Star-Bulletin. Honolulu, Hawaii. November 28, 1994. p. 12. Retrieved August 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Bagli, Charles (November 12, 2010). "Resurrecting a Village by Buying Up Main Street". The New York Times. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
- ^ a b c d Roberts, Sam (August 14, 2025). "Gregory C. O'Connell, Developer Who Revived Red Hook, Dies at 83". The New York Times. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
- ^ a b Hill, Alyssa (August 16, 2025). "Greg O'Connell remembered as force behind small-town revivals". The Daily News. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
- ^ Waller, Quinn (August 21, 2025). "Red Hook developer Gregory O'Connell dies at 83". The Real Deal. Retrieved August 24, 2025.
- ^ Evans, Judith (February 6, 1994). "Red Hook Redux: Business people, activists map revival". Newsday. New York, New York. p. 241. Retrieved August 24, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Garner, Dwight (March 20, 2011). "The Last Townie". The New York Times. Retrieved August 24, 2025.