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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of Patrick J. "Pat" O'Connell of Channahon,
4who passed away on March 31, 2019; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Pat O'Connell was born to Dale and Estelle (Jones)
6O'Connell Sr. on February 12, 1957; he graduated from Joliet
7East High School in 1975; he attended Millikin University,
8where he was a proud brother of the Tau Kappa Epsilon
9fraternity, and graduated in 1979; he earned master's degrees
10from George Williams College and Governors State University;
11and
 
12    WHEREAS, Pat O'Connell was a teacher and coach for over 40
13years and worked at Joliet East, Joliet Central, and Joliet
14Junior College; he had many accomplishments, including helping
15coach Joliet Central to the 1985 IHSA State Wrestling
16Championship, spearheading the revival of the Joliet Junior
17College wrestling program, and being inducted into the Illinois
18Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association Hall of Fame in
192017; he was dedicated to the success of his students and
20athletes, and he made a tremendous impression on the students
21he taught; his example inspired countless other teachers,
22coaches, and future educators to strive to do better; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Pat O'Connell was an athlete; he wrestled and ran
2cross country and track in high school and in college; after
3college he played rugby for the Chicago Blaze for over 30
4years; in his later years, he played for the Manhattan
5Shamrocks; he was known for his ability to organize gatherings,
6including annual Bears tailgate parties in his backyard, annual
7trips to Las Vegas and Cocoa Beach, Jimmy Buffet concerts with
8his daughter, and visits to Wrigley Field; he was an
9extraordinary organizer, gift giver, pickle ball player, and
10world traveler; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Pat O'Connell was preceded in death by his
12parents; his father-in-law, Gerald Tannenbaum; and his cat,
13Spike; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Pat O'Connell is survived by his wife of 26 years,
15Susan; his children, Patrick and Molly; his siblings, Dale
16(Karen) O'Connell Jr., Kathy (Clint) Forsyth, Ginny (Mike)
17Deegan, Mike (Tina) O'Connell, and Bill (Denise) O'Connell; his
18aunt, Pat Dickinson; his mother-in-law, Sharon Tannenbaum; his
19sisters-in-law, Jodi (John) Ancel, Angie (the late Larry)
20McKay, and Staci (Greg) Geistler; his brother-in-law, Doug
21(Yocelin) Tannenbaum; his many nieces, nephews, great-nieces,
22great-nephews, and cousins; and his cats, Shake and Elvis;
23therefore, be it
 

 

 

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1    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL
2ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
3Patrick J. "Pat" O'Connell and extend our sincere condolences
4to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be
5it further
 
6    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
7presented to the family of Pat O'Connell as an expression of
8our deepest sympathy.