Patrick J. O’Connor

Patrick James O’Connor, aged 96 years old of Rainycrest Home for the Aged, 550 Osborne Street, Fort Frances, Ontario passed away Sunday, September 30, 2001.

Born June 7, 1905 on Sable Island, Lake of the Woods to the late Patrick John O’Connor from County Clare, Ireland, and the former Sarah Jane McPherson from Kenora, Ontario. He was married in June 1941 to Bernice Bixby of Williams, Minnesota.

Patrick lived most of his life at the lake. At an early age, he helped his father with the lighthouses that his father managed on Lake of the Woods. He fished commercially with his father, continuing that until well into his 80’s. He delivered mail from Baudette to Northwest Angle as a youth. He guided both land and lake and also trapped. He later expanded into tourism selling live bait, and gasoline.

He served with the Canadian Forestry Corps. Patrick was very active with Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, The Knights of Columbus, The Royal Canadian Legion, which he was a lifetime member of, as well as serving as a councillor for the Atwood Township.

In 1989, Patrick and Bernice moved to Rainycrest, where he remained until the end of his days.

Patrick is survived by his children, Muriel & husband Lee Kloer of Baudette, Minnesota, Tom, and wife Roxanne O’Connor of Kenora, Ontario, Rose O’Connor, and friend Irv Ballard of Fort Frances, Ontario, Ronald, and wife Mary O’Connor of Rainy River, Ontario, Shirley and husband Tom Cressey, Nora and husband Barry Rogers, Carole and husband Brian Dent of Fort Frances, Ontario. There are 21 grandchildren, and many nephews and nieces which he was very fond and proud of.

He was predeceased by his parents, wife Bernice, an infant daughter, Patricia, grandson, Barry Rogers, Jr., also his brothers John, Tom. Luke, Francis; sisters, Bridget Desaulniers, Margaret Gunderson, Mary Triskle, Katherine Tobin, Anne Parker.

Visitation was held Tuesday, October 2, 2001 at 6:30 p.m at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Rainy River Ontario with prayers to follow with the Royal Canadian Colour Party, Rainy River Legion Branch 54 in attendance.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, October 3, 2001 at 1:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Rainy River with Father James Panikulam officiating with interment in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Rainy River.

Pallbearers were grandsons, Robert Kloer, Denis and Benjamin Duhamel, Chris Dent, Michael and Peter Cressey, Jonathon and Ryan O’Connor.

Honourary pallbearers were nephews and nieces.

The family requests in lieu of flowers, in memoriam donations may be directed to Our Lady of Good Counsel, Rainy River, Ontario or to Rainycrest Chapel, Rainycrest Home for the Aged, 550 Osborne Street Fort Frances, Ontario.