Terrence Dennis “Terry” O’Connor Sr. – Obituary

CHARLOTTE, NC – Terrence Dennis “Terry” O’Connor Sr. age 71, went to be with the Lord on Monday, November 13, 2017 at Union County Hospice in Monroe, NC.  He was born May 23, 1946 in Renovo, PA and was a son of the late Terrence Patrick O’Connor and Mary Bissman O’Connor, both of Renovo and then Hyner, PA.

He was a beloved son, husband, father and grandfather.  Terry and his wife of 48 years and high school sweetheart, Linda Lee O’Connor (Snyder), moved to Charlotte in 2015, where Linda still lives today.

Terry went to St. Joseph’s Catholic High School in Renovo, PA and then graduated from Lock Haven University with a bachelor’s degree in secondary education.  He went on to teach for 33 years at Millersburg High School in Millersburg, PA and in the Wattsburg School District at both, Wattsburg Middle School and Seneca High School.   Terry was also a coach for boys’ and girls’ basketball and softball as well as served as the athletic director for several years at the schools where he taught.  He taught drivers education at Seneca High School and Fredonia High School in NY for several years during the summers.

He was always giving back to the community.  As a young man he was a life guard, forest firefighter, and later in life he served on the Harbor Creek High School Board for 12 years and was also active in politics throughout his life.  He coached several little league baseball teams and was active with his children’s athletic endeavors as their #1 fan including many baseball, football, wrestling and cheerleading competitions.  He continued the tradition with cheering on his grandchildren in the sports they participated in and taught them to be tough competitors.  After moving back to his hometown from Erie, PA in 2002, he served on the Renovo Library Board where as President he helped lead the effort to upgrade the Renovo area library.

Terry was a very generous man and received great joy from handing out money to his grandchildren and any other young children who came across his path for he wanted everyone to be able to get themselves “something special” he would always say.    He loved to go to the movies, the book store and collected memorabilia regarding Renovo, PA, the Pennsylvania railroad, local Indian lore, and coins and stamps.  He often spoke at clubs to teach others about the history of the Renovo, PA area.

Terry is survived by his wife, Linda and their three children, Terrence O’Connor Jr. and his wife Michelle Nageli O’Connor and Kristy Kleto and her husband, Tommy Kleto all of Charlotte, NC and Michael O’Connor of Olean, NY; seven grandchildren, Baylee, Kayla, and Carly O’Connor of Olean, NY, Trey and Mya O’Connor and Taylor and Alexander “Xan” Rankin of Charlotte, NC.  He is also survived by many special cousins, nieces and nephews, and one surviving aunt, Lois O’Connor of South Renovo that he kept dear to his heart.

The family will receive friends on Thursday evening, November 16, 2017, from 6:00 until 8:00 PM at Kenneth Poe Funeral & Cremation Service.

A mass of the resurrection will be held for Mr. O’Connor on Friday, November 17, 2017 at 10:00 AM at St. Gabriel Catholic Church, 3016 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC.

Memorials may be made to American Diabetes Association, http://www.diabetes.org/?loc=logo or to National Kidney Foundation, https://www.kidney.org/support?sidebar=DonateNowButton

May his memory be eternal

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth Poe Services, 1321 Berkeley Ave, Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences at www.kennethpoeservices.com.