Daniel John O'Connor

Daniel OConnor, 91, of Venice, FL, and formerly of Kawkawlin, passed away peacefully March 30, 2018, at Venice Regional Bayfront Health in Venice. A Funeral Mass for Dan will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 11, at Prince of Peace Parish, Sacred Heart Catholic Church (2510 Fraser Rd., Kawkawlin) with his son, Father Patrick OConnor as celebrant. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery concluding with a luncheon at the parish center. The family will receive friends at the church on Tuesday, April 10, from 2-7:30 p.m. The Vigil will begin at 7:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Bay City, Habitat for Humanity, or Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat and Spirituality Center in Venice. Envelopes will be available at the church. Dan was born on December 4, 1926 in Linwood, MI son of the late James and Emma Leontine (Longtin) OConnor. He was the youngest of six children. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army from 1945-1946 serving time in the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre during the final stages of World War II. On June 24, 1950, he married the love of his life, Bernita Bea Holm at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Essexville. A devout Catholic, Dan attended numerous parishes throughout his life including his home parish of Sacred Heart in Kawkawlin, Holy Trinity Parish in Bay City, and St. Mary Parish - Nine Mile in Pinconning. He and Bea were founding members of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Nokomis, FL, and current members of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Venice. His multiple ministries and missions included refurbishing the Ministries Institute for the Diocese of Saginaw, annual works of mission in Jackson, Minnesota for the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, and Christmas deliveries to Boone County, KY. Dan and Bea became known as Father Charlies Angels at the retreat center of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat and Spirituality Center in Venice. He received his high school diploma at the age of 51. He was a master tradesman for Dow Chemical for 33 years and later worked for Three Rivers Corporation in maintenance for 10 years. Dan never fully retired as he continued working for WalMart in Venice as a greeter right up until his death. He had lived in Bay City, Kawkawlin, and Albright Shores on Wixom Lake before moving to Venice. Dan was a kind man, a faithful husband, a role model to his children, and a loving grandfather. Dan is survived by his wife of nearly 68 years, Bea OConnor; three children, Father Patrick OConnor of Kawkawlin, Daniel James OConnor of Venice, FL, and Erin (Shaun) Sullivan of Bay City; three granddaughters, Danielle (John) Hoey of Grand Rapids, Caitlin (Matthew) Miller of Essexville, and Meaghan Sullivan of Ypsilanti; great granddaughter, Emma Miller; and brother-in-law, Charles Junior (Norma) Holm. He was preceded in death by his parents; five siblings and their spouses, Joseph and Odetta OConnor, Raymond and Patricia OConnor, Vincent and Yvonne OConnor, Theresa and Lloyd Pajot, and Francis Lloyd and LuAnn OConnor; and in-laws, Barbara and Nelson Maillette.