Dennis "Doc" O'Connor

Dennis J. O'Connor passed away peacefully at the Hospice of the Western Reserve on July 6, 2025 at the age of 90.
He was born in October 1934 and was raised in Lorain, OH, where he lived most of his life. He was married to his late wife, Marcella "Marcy," (nee Czarney) for 65 years. They were faithful members of Nativity BVM Parish. They later moved to Amherst, where they resided for 18 years; Dennis spent the last three years at Independence Village in Avon Lake.
Dennis attended Lorain High School and later enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, stationed in Pleasanton, CA. He married Marcy in 1955 and they later returned to Lorain. Dennis spent his career working at the Lorain Ford Motor Company in the maintenance department, retiring in 1996. He was a longtime member of VFW 451. He enjoyed playing cards, bingo, traveling, going to the casino, and pranking loved ones.
Dennis-also known as "Doc" or "Denny"-touched the lives of many with his mischievous sense of humor and warm, gregarious nature. He was always quick to lend a helping hand and enjoyed running errands and being a chauffeur for his friends and family. Dennis always found a way to stay busy, whether it was feeding the local dogs from the stash of dog treats in his car, keeping everyone's washer fluid topped off, filling the bird feeder, or tending to multiple cemetery markers. He was beloved by the residents of Independence Village and was known as "the candy guy" because he always had a bowl of candy outside his door. He will always be remembered for his trademark expression, "Did I tell you how nice you look today?"
Those left to cherish his memory are his son, Michael (Sherrie) of Arlington, TX; daughter, Patti Law (Randy) of Lorain, OH; son, Neal (Trisha) of Avon Lake, OH; and his beloved sister, Betsy Jaworski of Vermilion, OH. Dennis was preceded in death by his wife, Marcy; his parents, Neil and Mary (nee Kutting); and sisters, Joann Chapla, Rita Schneider, and Donna Rajher. He was blessed with six grandchildren, welcomed three step-grandchildren, and enjoyed his many great-grandchildren. He was also a favorite uncle to numerous nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, July 17, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Reidy-Scanlan-Giovannazzo Funeral Home, 2150 Broadway, Lorain, OH 44052. The Nativity Altar and Rosary Society will say the rosary at 3:30 p.m., before calling hours. A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Friday, July 18 at 10:00 a.m. with Father Frank P. Kosem, officiating at Nativity BVM Church, 418 West 15th St., Lorain, OH 44052. Closing prayers will be held prior at 9:20 a.m. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, 555 N Ridge Rd, Lorain, OH 44053.
Memorial contributions can be made to Nativity BVM Church in Lorain. Online condolences and gifts of sympathy may be shared with the family by using www.rsgfuneralhome.com.