PATRICK J. O’CONNOR

Patrick James O’Connor, 96, of Rainycrest Home for the Aged, 550 Osborne St., Fort Frances, Ont., passed away Sunday, Sept. 30, 2001.
He was 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, Ont.
He was married in June, 1941 to Bernice Bixby of Williams, Mn.
Patrick lived most of his life at the lake. At an early age, he helped his father with the lighthouses his father managed on Lake of the Woods. He also fished commercially with his father, continuing that until well into his 80s.
He delivered mail from Baudette to Northwest Angle as a youth. He guided on 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 also was very active with Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, the Knights of Columbus, the Royal Canadian Legion, of which he was a lifetime member, as well as serving as a councillor for Atwood Township.
In 1989, Patrick and Bernice moved to Rainycrest, where he resided until his passing.
Patrick is survived by his children, Muriel and husband, Lee Kloer, of Baudette, Mn., Tom O’Connor and wife, Roxanne, of Kenora, Ont., Rose O’Connor and friend, Irv Ballard, of Fort Frances, Ont., Ronald O’Connor and wife, Mary, of Rainy River, Ont., Shirley and husband, Tom Cressey, Nora and husband, Barry Rogers, and Carole and husband, Brian Dent, of Fort Frances, Ont.
There are 21 grandchildren; nine great-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.; brothers, John, Tom, Luke, and Francis; and sisters, Bridget Desaulniers, Margaret Gunderson, Mary Triskle, Katherine Tobin, and Anne Parker.
Visitation was held Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2001 at 6:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Rainy River, Ont., with prayers following with the Royal Canadian Colour Party, Rainy River Legion Br. 54, in attendance.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2001 at 1 p.m. at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Rainy River. Fr. James Panikulam officiated, with interment in Forest Lawn Cemetery.
Pallbearers were grandsons, Robert Kloer, Denis and Benjamin Duhamel, Chris Dent, Michael and Peter Cressey, and Jonathon and Ryan O’Connor.
Honourary pallbearers were Patrick’s nephews and nieces.
The family requests in lieu of flowers, in memoriam donations may be directed to Our Lady of Good Counsel, Rainy River, Ont., or to Rainycrest Chapel, Rainycrest Home for the Aged, 550 Osborne St., Fort Frances, Ont.