Neil O'Connell thanks everyone for the recognition he received.

Local musician honored by Babylon United Methodist Church

For more than 30 years, Neil O’Connell has been at the keyboard of the organ for the Babylon United Methodist Church and this year, as the church marked its 150th anniversary, he was recognized for his talent and dedication.     Over the years, O’Connell provided the music for more than 1,000 weddings, as well as the inspiration at thousands of other church events and services.     O’Connell was presented with two plaques, one for his home and one that is mounted on the organ in the church Sanctuary. They read: In Celebration of 30 years of dedicated service to the United Methodist Church of Babylon as organist and choir director, Neil O’Connell, January, 2009.     “I was very surprised and proud of the outpouring of people who were at the event,” said O’Connell, who has played the organ since he was 12-years-old.

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