BOSTON (WHDH) - A funeral process was held Thursday for Staff Sergeant Sean Christoper O’Connell of Rockland.
O’Connell served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom-Afghanistan.
He received the Combat Action badge.
Local law enforcement lined overpasses as the funeral passed by, standing at attention with American flags.
O’Connell died of natural causes while on a bear hunting trip in Maine.
His childhood friend, John Stappen, said the loss was devastating.
“I’m absolutely torn to the core,” he said. “I’m completely heartbroken. This is a very hard loss for me. This kid had the heart of gold, one of a kind. You can’t find people like this.”
Fallen warrior Sean O'Connell returns home – He died of natural causes while on a bear hunting trip in Maine.#LightTheWay pic.twitter.com/crzhONdxth
— Jonathan Hall (@JHall7news) October 20, 2016
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