Gerald O'Connor

Gerald Louis (Jerry) O'Connor, (79), passed away on June 24, 2012 at Grand Forks, ND. He was born at Grafton, ND on July 16, 1932. He was the eighth child of Archie B. and Margaret (O'Sullivan) O'Connor of St. Thomas, ND. He graduated from St. Thomas high school in 1950 and entered the US Air Force in September of 1952, serving in Mississippi and Germany. He was honorably discharged in August 1956. Jerry graduated from the University of North Dakota in 1961 with a BS in Composite Natural Sciences, and received his MEd in Science Education from Texas A&M University in 1966. He taught in Tioga, ND, Moorpark, CA, Zionsville, IN and Grand Forks, ND, retiring there in 1993. He developed a secondary career as a humorous after-dinner speaker and entertainer, and later marketed his grandmother's recipe for mustard. Jerry was a co-founder of the St. Michael's Bridge Builders' Club, a member of the National Speakers Association, Pride of Dakota Marketing Assn., Grand Forks Education Assn., South Forks Lions Club, Greater Grand Forks Retired Teachers Assn., VFW of East Grand Forks and the American Legion Ottum-Ball Post 68 of St. Thomas, ND. Jerry and Ellen Ebert were united in marriage August 14, 1965. She survives him, along with their three children - Mark, Mpls., MN, Maria, Champlin, MN, Meghan (Dan) Salyers of Grand Forks, and their children Madeline and Abigail, their "Grampa's pride and joy." He is also survived by his sister Patricia (Patrick) Fisher and his brother Daniel (Patricia). Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers Archie, John, James, Thomas, Edward and Richard; and sisters, Ann (Robert) McLean, Joan (Marvin) Bronken and Jane (George) Bresnahan. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 2:00 PM Friday, June 29, 2012 at St. Michael's Catholic Church, Grand Forks, ND. Visitation will be Thursday from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM with a 7:30 PM Prayer Service in St. Michael's Catholic Church. Visitation will continue for the hour before the Funeral Mass in the church. Burial will be 11:00 AM Saturday in St. Thomas Catholic Cemetery, St. Thomas, ND with Military honors by the St. Thomas American Legion. Memorials: In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to Bridge Builders' Club, St. Michael's Church, or to a charity of your choice.