Terrence R. O'Connell

May 6, 1944 - November 17, 2020

Terrence R. “Terry” O’Connell, 76, of Chicago, IL., formerly of Aurora, IL., passed away Tuesday, November 17, 2020 at his home in Chicago, IL. He was born May 6, 1944, in High Wycombe, United Kingdom, the son of Robert H. & Patricia (Folwell) O’Connell. He arrived in America when he was 2 years old and he spent his childhood and most of his adult life in Aurora, Il. He graduated from West Aurora High School in 1962 and in 1967, he met the love of his life, Pamela K. Fleming. They married on September 21, 1968, in Plano, IL, and spent the next 49 years together until Pam's death in 2017. With certification from ITT Tech, he became a repair technician for AT&T (West Chicago) for 25 years, during which he served proudly as a union representative for CWA, This experience gave him the passion for helping others, ultimately launching his post-retirement career in Real Estate with Century 21-Mohler team in Aurora. Terry is fondly remembered by many clients as less of a salesman, and more of a fatherly figure who helped and encouraged them based on his professional and personal experiences. He and his wife, Pamela, served as funeral coordinators for several years at their home church, St. Mark's Lutheran, of Aurora. He volunteered at Hesed House for over a decade and, most recently, as a greeter at Rush Copley Hospital in Aurora. He also championed local fundraising for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation on behalf of his son, James. When his children were younger, Terry also enjoyed volunteering in their classrooms and accompanying field trips as a chaperone. His energetic, fun-loving personality left an indelible impact on a great many people throughout his life, but his greatest joy derived from his affinity and affection for his children and grandchildren. Terry loved to travel. His fondest destinations were annual visits to Door County, a handful of visits to Alaska. Terry is survived by his three children, Jerald (Marianne) O’Connell, Michelle (Steve) Halbesma, and Jim (Nicole) O’Connell; his grandchildren, Ryan, Kennedy and Brady O’Connell, Jake and Hannah Halbesma; Step-grandchildren, Jessica Brumbaugh, Grace Sexton, Emily Wykes, Josh and Tim Halbesma and his significant other, Deneen Hesser, of Chicago. He was preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife of 49 years and one son, Robert James O’Connell. Cremation rites were accorded. A memorial service for Terry will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, May 8, 2021 at Pearce Cemetery, Oswego, IL Rt 34 and RT 71 North of Walgreen's and Kinder Care Learning Center. Arrangements were entrusted by Turner-Eighner Funeral Home in Plano, IL. For more information or to sign the online guest book go to www.EighnerFuneralHomes.com. Turner-Eighner Funeral Home & Crematory 3952 Turner Avenue Plano, IL. 60545 (630) 552-3022