Obituaries

Lt. Col. Patrick Michael O’Connor, Ret., 90

January 01, 2023

Patrick Michael Thomas O’Connor, 90, of Lancaster, PA, went to be with the Lord on January 1st, 2023, at Hospice and Community Care, in Mount Joy, PA.

Patrick was born in Lafayette, IN, on October 24, 1932, son of the late Lawrence and Florence (Shrader) O’Connor. He was a graduate of Jefferson High School and received his Bachelor’s degree from Purdue University.

Patrick leaves behind the love of his life, Margaret Alice (Shertenlieb) O’Connor. They celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary on August 1st, 2022. After meeting at Purdue University and beginning their married life, they made numerous military moves, making new friends who often became part of their extended family. Their door was always open to friends and family.

Patrick was a career service member serving in both the Air Force and the Army. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel from the U.S. Army in 1981 with more than 28 years of service to his nation. He was a dedicated Soldier, Airborne Ranger, and Green Beret who served with the earliest Special Forces units. During his military career he received a number of personal awards to include two Bronze Star Medals and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal.

After retiring from the military Patrick began his next career working in construction and energy contracts. While he did that for a few years, his true passion was the work he did as a gentleman farmer in Quakertown and Johnstown, Pennsylvania.

Patrick was a devout Roman Catholic and prayed his rosary daily. Service to others was always a part of his life in one form or another. He volunteered at several soup kitchens and food pantries and he frequently worked behind the scenes never wanting to take credit for his acts of kindness.

Patrick is predeceased by his parents and five siblings, Bernadine Tanner, Lawrence O’Connor, Robert O’Connor, Joseph O’Connor, and Mary Gordon.

Besides his wife, Patrick is survived by his children (Shannon Kolb and her husband Chris, Courtney Zimmerman and her husband Chris, and USMC Col Christopher O’Connor and his wife Aurora), his five grandsons (Sean Kolb, Jonathan Kolb, Nathaniel O’Connor, Noah Zimmerman, and Benjamin O’Connor) and his great-granddaughter (Margaret Ella Kolb).

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, January 13th, at St. Leo the Great Roman Catholic Church, 2427 Marietta Ave., Lancaster, PA 17601. His family will be receiving guests beginning at 10:00 a.m. until the Mass begins at 11 a.m. Memorial donations may be made in lieu of flowers in Patrick’s honor to the Water Street Mission, PO Box 7508, Lancaster, PA, 17604, www.wsm.org.

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Condolences to the Family

January 17, 2023

Condolences from Dagmar Baade – Germany. The news of Pat’s death deeply saddened me. I am very sorry to hear about his passing. I am grateful to have known him during his stay in Germany, especially him being such a good friend to my family.

January 14, 2023

Paul, Andrea, and I are just returned from the beautiful and heartfelt mass and celebration of your life, dear Patrick. We know you are on a star in Heaven and have joined your dear departed in the arms of our Lord. We would like to share two passages recently come upon from the book “Ordinary Grace” by William Kent Kreuger. The first is a New Testament passage read by the pastor in the story at a funeral: “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8 Verses 38 to 39.  The second was from the ending paragraph of the novel: “The dead are never far from us. They’re in our hearts and on our minds. And in the end, all that separates us from them is a single breath, one final puff of air.”  We will hold dear the memories with love and gratitude for all the years we shared together as family.
Kate and Paul Sobolewski

January 13, 2023

Uncle Pat was my favorite UNCLE and became my role model.  It started when I was transfered to the 5th grade at St. Lawrence.  After school I walked over to my grandparents house at 1219 N 15th waiting for dad to pick me up and head out to the country.  This continued until my last verbalization with him in Aug-Sep 2022.
He also was a very lucky man who married a very beautiful lady named Alice.  They’ve raised a family that is a continuation of his honorable gracious attributes.  
I have thought about him often as I lived my life.  And will continue to do so recalling numberlous wonderfull memories and experiences.
Love Larry O’Connor
 
 

January 13, 2023

Dear Alice, Shannon, Courtney, Chris, Shawn, Jonathan, Noah, Nate, Ben and Maisey.  Good and peaceful wishes and prayers today as you celbrate Uncle Pat’s life with Catholic Mass.  Glenda and I are so greatful for all Pat and Alices’s (and your) hospitality and love, especially when I was at school in New York, when we were starting out and all the times since – not enough of them!!  How wonderful that Uncle Pat stayed true to his Christian faith in service to others.  He did his part to make heaven on earth.  He did his part in service to his nation and it is very heartening to know that our nation will recognize that when he’s finally laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.  We hope to be there!
Scott & Glenda. Kyle Cristina & Maggie O’Connor.  Kate, Evan & Teddy Siepert. 

January 13, 2023

My Uncle Pat,
I’m 17 years younger than my uncle, and most of my life we’ve been separated by hundreds or thousands of miles. I’ve seen him a few times over the years. Each time I was awed by who he was and what he stood for. To me, he was a force for what is good in this life. By his example and the family he leaves behind, he has left the world I live in a better place. I’m thankful that I knew him. He will always occupy a place in my heart.
 
I will always cherish my memories of my Uncle Pat.
 
To Aunt Alice and Pat’s family: I’m so sorry for your loss.
 
Sincerely,
 
The third born of Pat’s brother Larry,
Donald O’Connor

January 12, 2023

Dear Uncle Pat and family, please accept my condolences on the loss of Uncle Pat.  He leaves many fond memories of my early teenage years.  Uncle Pat was that guy who was in the military and sent me an indian dressed doll and I would write him letters.  And then he was going to college!  From a 14 year’s perspective, that was really cool stuff!  And then there was that magical wedding when Uncle Pat brought Aunt Alice into our lives and she was a school teacher!  Cool stuff!  I also remember his sense of humor. Uncle Pat loved to tease Grandma (Florence) by calling her Flossy and she would get so aggravated with him!  Uncle Pat always had a twinkle in his eye and an impish grin.  Warm and loving thoughts to his family. May he rest in peace.
Respectfully, Kathleen O’Connor Robertson

January 11, 2023

Condolences from the O’Connors of Cairo, Indiana. Aunt Alice, Courtney, Shannon and Chris, we will be coming to pay our respects to your family and father.  He was my dad’s (Lawrence Walter O’Connor) good brother, and a stand-up Uncle who accomplished more in one lifetime most can only dream of doing. Sure enough, you can bet those who preceded him in the material world came to greet him and take him home. Rest In Peace, Uncle Pat. John, Lori, John David,Jennifer and Joseph O’Connor

January 10, 2023

A Memory of Uncle Pat
 
My Uncle Pat is a real American hero
Welcomed and respected anywhere he would go
First in a distinguished military career
And later to all those he came near
 
His service to country was in a time of great need
When life could end suddenly, he was there to lead
And lead he did with hardly a falter or sway
Continuing in retirement in a much happier way
 
About past dangers silent, as heroes often do
To focus in the present, such as peaceful morning dew
The day he wed dear Alice is part of me forever
The full church aisle sword canopy clear in memory as ever
 
Bearing his ring up that aisle as only a young child
Is a memory peaceful, happy, and oh so very mild
A scripture verse comes also
Every time Uncle Pat comes to mind
 
“His Master replied, ‘Well done good and faithful servant!'”
     (Matthew 25.21,23; Luke 19.17 NIV Bible)
 
Truly said of him on Earth
And now eternally by Jesus
 
Patrick O’Connor
20230110

January 09, 2023

Aunt Alice, Shannon, Chris, Courney and families, please accept our prayers and condolences in the loss of your loving husband and father, Patrick.  No doubt the angels are taking delight in one of those O’Connor sing-a-longs in the heavenly realm. May God hold you in the palm of His hands through this time as you celebrate life well lived. valerie oconnor

January 08, 2023

“Those we love don’t go away, They walk beside us every day, unseen, unheard, but always near, Still loved, still missed and very dear.”
May fond memories unite you often. With love & much sympathy, Leanne Tanner & son, Felix

January 06, 2023

It is with sadness and gratefulness that I write this to you, Maggie and your children. I am sad to have had such distance from your husband and father these recent years because of the pandemic. I am grateful to have learned to know him. He lives in our house with all the nice clothing he passed on to my husband, Millard, who still wears them. May you be encouraged to live and serve here on earth as he did, and then we can all be together again in heaven forever!  We love your dearly.  ~Priscilla Garrett, your first Visiting Angel!

January 05, 2023

Aunt Alice, Shannon, Courtney, and Chris, Cousin Kate out in California sent me the very sad news of losing your most treasured Love One. I am so so sorry in your loss, especially during the Holidays. I will pray for each of you. I’m sure there is one Big O’Connor Reunion up in Heaven now. I so so miss both my Mom and Dad so so much. The Holidays were quite sad in being all alone. Our families that once were are never again. But, someday, we will all be reunited. Much Love and Prayers, Kelly Gordon Stanford in Mobile, Alabama🌷💕🌹

Visitation
Friday, January 13, 2023
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
St. Leo the Great Catholic Church
2427 Marietta Ave.
Lancaster, PA 17601
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Services
Friday, January 13, 2023
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
St. Leo the Great Catholic Church
2427 Marietta Ave.
Lancaster, PA 17601
Map and Directions

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