Thomas O’Connell was born in Hudson, Wisconsin to Richard Joseph & Margaret (Grace) O’Connell. He grew up in Hudson and attended college at UW-River Falls as well as the University of Minnesota where he earned his degree in Mortuary Science. Always being an entrepreneur, Tom was a small business owner, as well as a successful paper goods and pharmaceutical sales rep. Following the tradition of his family, Tom started working for a funeral home in the Twin Cities – where he became quite proficient. He decided to set out on his own and in 1985 founded the new O’Connell Valley Funeral Home in Hudson – serving the St. Croix County area and beyond.

Beyond his work at the funeral home, Tom is well known in the Hudson area due to his active involvement in the community. He has been a member of the Hudson Area Chamber of Commerce, United Way – St. Croix Valley, Phipps Center for the Arts, the Hudson Community Foundation, the Wisconsin Regional Planning Committee, and St. Patrick’s Parish Council. Tom has also been chairman of the Hudson Police and Fire Commission for 30 plus years, as well as financial chairman for St. Croix County Board of Supervisors. Finally, Tom has dedicated much of his recent life as an advocate against child predators through various organizations formed to protect children.