Patrick J. O'Connor Sr.

Patrick J. O'Connor Sr.

Patrick O'Connor Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers from May 10 to May 11, 2005.
O'Connor Patrick J. O'Connor, Sr., age 85, of Minneapolis, died of heart failure on May 9, 2005. Pat was born and raised in Eden Valley, MN. He attended Creighton University (Ph.B ‘42) and U of MN Law School (LL.B ‘45). He began his law practice with the Fowler Youngquist firm. In 1956, soon after developing what would become a life-long friendship with Hubert Humphrey, he founded the law firm of O'Connor & Green. At the Senator's urging, Pat took his legislative law practice to Washington, D.C. where he opened what today is the nationally recognized law firm of O'Connor & Hannan. He served as the Treasurer of the Democratic National Committee in the 1960's where he was also a long-time member of its board of directors. He was a former Chair of the Democratic House and Senate Finance Council, the only non-member of the U.S. House and Senate to fill that position. He was a member of the Carter- Mondale Presidential Committee; a Director of the Mondale-Ferraro Committee; a Finance Committee member of the Dukakis-Bentsen Presidential Committee; a member of the Clinton- Gore National Finance Committee; and a general counselor to the 1999-2000 Gore campaign. He remained active in Minnesota politics to the day he died. Pat had also served as a former Director of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; Director of the Washington Symphony; member of the Board of Visitors for the U of MN Law School; member of the MPLS Chamber of Commerce; member of the Creighton University Alumni Association; Director of Boston University; and a long-standing member of the American Bar Association. Pat was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia Duffy O'Connor. He is survived through his immediate family by sons Patrick J. O'Connor, Jr. (Lauren) and James Duffy O'Connor (Deb), and eight grandchildren: Patrick III, Sam, Patricia, Ryan, Jameson, Meghan, Molly and Colleen. He is also survived by Evelyn Leddingham O'Connor and two stepsons, Bill and Jerry. Pat's generous spirit enriched the lives of thousands of people. To his countless friends he leaves grand memories; and to his many accomplices he said to say: "Slainte!" Visitation 4-8 PM Friday, May 13th at Gill Brothers Funeral Chapel, 5801 Lyndale Ave S. Mass of Christian Burial 10 AM Saturday, May 14th at the Church of St. Olaf, 215 S. 8th St., Mpls, with visitation one hour prior to Mass at church. Interment Lakewood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to The Patrick O'Connor Scholarship Fund, Creighton University, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE, 68178, or the U of MN Law School. GILL BROTHERS 612-861-6088

View All Photos

Add Photos to Memorial

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Sign Patrick O'Connor's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

May 15, 2005

Michael Overend posted to the memorial.

May 13, 2005

Rebecca (Smith) Martinson posted to the memorial.

May 12, 2005

Martin Berliner posted to the memorial.

Michael Overend

May 15, 2005

Dear Pat, Lauren, Jim, Deb and Mrs. O'Connor,



Please accept our condolences on the passing of your father and husband. He was a great and truly memorable man, and I was honored to have known him. His spirit will always be felt by everyone it touched.



I would like to be in touch with you Pat and Jim, if you would please send me your e-mail addresses.



Very Sincerely,



Mike Overend

Rebecca (Smith) Martinson

May 13, 2005

Strangely enough, I was just thinking about Mr. O'Connor this week (never felt comfortable calling him "Pat"); and today I told some friends about how welcome and valued he made me feel when I worked as a receptionist in his law firm as a 19 year old girl. He was such a gentleman, so charming, and so interested in people. Twenty-five years after I left his firm to work full time elsewhere, I was walking through the North Star Center, and heard his laugh -- I immediately knew who it was, and when we came face to face, he remembered me too. He was "larger than life." My thoughts are with Pat and Jim and their families.

Martin Berliner

May 12, 2005

Pat was a gentleman in the truest sense of the term, a fine lawyer, and a generous and supportive colleague. I was privileged to know him as a friend, and his law partner for 15 years. Gail and I offer our sincere condolences to Evie and his family.

Catherine M Duffy

May 11, 2005

May you be comforted by the many warm thoughts of those who love and know you.

God Bless

Molly McCarthy

May 11, 2005

Best wishes to Pat, Jim and your families

Peter Kissel

May 10, 2005

Pat was a great leader of a great law firm, and also was a very gracious personal friend to all who worked with him. My deepest condolences to his entire family. We will always remember him.

steve saetre

May 10, 2005

IT IS WITH FOND MEMORIES THAT WE SALUTE THIS GREAT MAN OF SERVICE AND CHARM TO ALL HE KNEW AND CAUSES HE WORKED FOR. I KNEW HIM AT THE MINNEAPOLIS CLUB. HE LOVED A GOOD STORY AND TOLD HIS SHARE OF THEM. HE ALSO KEPT VERY CURRENT ON THE MANY ISSUES AND PEOPLE OF TODAY. MANY HOURS SPENT AT THE CLUB INTERVIEWING POTENTIAL NEW LAWYERS OF TOMMORROW, HE OFFERED WHAT I AM SURE WAS GREAT ADVICE AND KEEN INSIGHT TO THE LAW ETC. HE IS AMONG THE LAST OF THE GREAT OLD TIME POLITICAL LAWYERS THAT WERE SOMETIMES LARGER THAN LIFE, HONEST,HARD WORKING, BUT ALWAYS WERE ABLE TO BE BOTH CIVIL, AND OFFER A GOOD JOKE TOO. YES, HE JOINS SUCH FAMED ATTORNEYS AS EDWARD BENNETT WILLIAMS, CLARK CLIFFORD, AND LLOYD CUTLER, WHO GAVE THIER LIVES TO THE LOVE OF POLITICS AND PEOPLE. BLESSED BE HIS MEMORY. STEVE SAETRE.

Showing 1 - 8 of 8 results

Gill Brothers Funeral Directors - Southwest

5801 S Lyndale Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55419

Make a Donation
in Patrick O'Connor's name

How to support Patrick's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Patrick O'Connor's life and legacy
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more

Sign Patrick O'Connor's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

May 15, 2005

Michael Overend posted to the memorial.

May 13, 2005

Rebecca (Smith) Martinson posted to the memorial.

May 12, 2005

Martin Berliner posted to the memorial.