Obituary for David O'Connor
David A. O’Connor, 79, a resident of Lake Mary, Florida, died Friday, December 22, 2017 from complications after heart surgery. David was born October 21, 1938 in Grafton, Ohio. He was a 1956 graduate of Elyria Catholic High School where he played on the football, basketball and golf teams as well as singing with the A Capella choir. He attended the University of Dayton and graduated with a degree in Economics. While at the University of Dayton, Dave was active in many campus activities and participated in the U.S. Army ROTC program. He was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant upon his graduation from Dayton. David was trained to be a helicopter pilot and spent most of his active duty time in Wiesbaden, Germany. David started his business career selling steel in the Chicago, Illinois area for the Republic Steel Corp. of Cleveland. Dave then became stockbroker for several years. While David enjoyed Chicago very much, the Blizzard of 1978 made the State of Florida look very inviting. So, he and his first wife, Sarah, moved South and took up residence in Winter Park, Florida. Their daughter, Joslyn, was born soon thereafter.
Dave was an avid and proficient golfer his entire life, beginning with his days as a caddy at the Elyria (Ohio) Country Club, his memberships at the Chicago Club in Wheaton, Illinois and several clubs in the Lake Mary (Florida) area. His golfing prowess allowed him to play in the Irish Amateur as well as many other tournaments around the country. He also travelled to Ireland many times and had played golf on many courses around the Emerald Isle.
David was a member of Annunciation Catholic Church in Altamonte Springs, FL where he enjoyed singing with church choir. He and his wife, Charlotte, loved to travel and could often be seen at their favorite restaurants where they were well-known and loved. Dave attended all of his daughter’s regattas. He could be heard on the shore at every regatta, cheering on his daughter and the Winter Park Crew Team. He would yell with his deep booming voice, “Go Lady Cats!” He was a proud father and would beam when telling you about his daughter attending Harvard. He was also an adoring grandfather and was known as “Big Dave” and could name every construction truck on I-4 with his grandsons. He spent many Sundays cheering on the Miami Dolphins with son-in-law, Dave and family. He was also a big fan of the Orlando Magic and UCF Knights.
David is survived by his wife, Charlotte (nee Sutton): his daughter, Joslyn (husband David Bear) of Winter Springs; grandchildren, Xander, Connor and Caroline Grace); sister, Midge Carmon of LaGrange, OH (husband Jack) and brothers John J. O’Connor (wife Jeanette) of Mission Viejo, CA and C. Patrick O’Connor of Elyria, OH (wife Kaaren) as well as many nieces and nephews. David was preceded in death by his parents Alan P. and Geraldine M. O’Connor and his sister, Mary Ellen Carmel.
Friends may call from 6-8 P.M. Thursday, January 4, 2018 at St. Stephen’s Catholic Community, 575 Tuskawilla Rd, Winter Springs. The Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, January 5, 2018 at 9:30 A.M. at Annunciation Catholic Church, 1020 Montgomery Rd, Altamonte Springs. Rev. Father John Bluett will be the celebrant.
Burial, with full Military Honors, will be at the Cape Canaveral National Cemetery following the Funeral Service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Winter Park Crew Team (winterparkcrew.com) or to Elyria Catholic High Endowment Fund, 725 Gulf Road, Elyria, OH 44035.
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Dave was an avid and proficient golfer his entire life, beginning with his days as a caddy at the Elyria (Ohio) Country Club, his memberships at the Chicago Club in Wheaton, Illinois and several clubs in the Lake Mary (Florida) area. His golfing prowess allowed him to play in the Irish Amateur as well as many other tournaments around the country. He also travelled to Ireland many times and had played golf on many courses around the Emerald Isle.
David was a member of Annunciation Catholic Church in Altamonte Springs, FL where he enjoyed singing with church choir. He and his wife, Charlotte, loved to travel and could often be seen at their favorite restaurants where they were well-known and loved. Dave attended all of his daughter’s regattas. He could be heard on the shore at every regatta, cheering on his daughter and the Winter Park Crew Team. He would yell with his deep booming voice, “Go Lady Cats!” He was a proud father and would beam when telling you about his daughter attending Harvard. He was also an adoring grandfather and was known as “Big Dave” and could name every construction truck on I-4 with his grandsons. He spent many Sundays cheering on the Miami Dolphins with son-in-law, Dave and family. He was also a big fan of the Orlando Magic and UCF Knights.
David is survived by his wife, Charlotte (nee Sutton): his daughter, Joslyn (husband David Bear) of Winter Springs; grandchildren, Xander, Connor and Caroline Grace); sister, Midge Carmon of LaGrange, OH (husband Jack) and brothers John J. O’Connor (wife Jeanette) of Mission Viejo, CA and C. Patrick O’Connor of Elyria, OH (wife Kaaren) as well as many nieces and nephews. David was preceded in death by his parents Alan P. and Geraldine M. O’Connor and his sister, Mary Ellen Carmel.
Friends may call from 6-8 P.M. Thursday, January 4, 2018 at St. Stephen’s Catholic Community, 575 Tuskawilla Rd, Winter Springs. The Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, January 5, 2018 at 9:30 A.M. at Annunciation Catholic Church, 1020 Montgomery Rd, Altamonte Springs. Rev. Father John Bluett will be the celebrant.
Burial, with full Military Honors, will be at the Cape Canaveral National Cemetery following the Funeral Service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Winter Park Crew Team (winterparkcrew.com) or to Elyria Catholic High Endowment Fund, 725 Gulf Road, Elyria, OH 44035.
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