Mr. O’Connor was my physics teacher at GHS during my Junior year. I always remember how passionate he was as a teacher and how he made learning fun for everyone. He always took the time to help his students understand the subject. He was also extremely smart, and I used to talk with him during lunch about Astronomy and the sciences, which inspired me to pursue a minor in Astronomy. My classmates and I are all deeply saddened by his passing. You were one of my favorite teachers, thank you for everything Mr. O’Connor. Rest in peace.

Mr. O’Connor was my physics teacher freshman year of high school at Gaithersburg, and my AP physics teacher senior year. He made the concepts easy to understand, and brought so much care and enthusiasm to his students every day. He will be greatly missed, and I am thankful to have had such a wonderful teacher in my life.❤️

I can't believe it's been a year. Pat was a lovely person :(

Pat is the biggest reason I decided to teach at Gaithersburg HS. His obvious love of science and respect for his students was contagious. He was genuine and down to earth all the time. I've tried to emulate him and hope his influence continues to help future students.

We'll miss you Patrick!!

JUMANJI!!! That movie always makes me think of you & Aunt Jean because we’d always watch it at your house when we visited (i think we may have stolen it from you at some point 😬). I also vividly remember being at the McDonald’s down the street from you because my mom & I were waiting for Lauretta’s friend’s  laser tag birthday party to finish. She called you to say that we were in the neighborhood, and you came running over to eat McDonald’s apple pies with us ❤️ I remember being so excited to see you. The weekend long party you hosted for Nanny’s 75th birthday was my favorite weekend ever (no lie). You are also the reason i didn’t fail AP Statistics at Good Counsel since you were more than willing to tutor me when i needed it 🤓 I miss you, Uncle Pat! I will be praying every day for a safe passage to Heaven 🤍🙏🕊

Like my sister and brothers before me, Mr. O'Connor was a strong source of inspiration that led me to pursue STEM related degrees.  His passion for teaching/learning was contagious and care for his students was appreciated (and I hope he knew that).  His joyous spirit as the Sherwood Warrior mascot drew many smiles. Just like many years ago, I'm sure many now are smiling recalling those moments in their lives that he influenced.  God bless.

I remember having lunch together with Pat and others one year in the upstairs teacher’s lounge at Sherwood. Just loved his quick intellect and witty sense of humor — especially the day he came in on Halloween wearing a mortar board on his head and a measured tube around his body, posing as a “graduated cylinder!” Almost spewed my soda!  I am so sorry to hear of his loss and send my love and prayers to his family. What an amazing educator!
-Karen Grossman
Art Department

I only had him one year, but I spent lunches learning and just hanging out. He was one of the reasons I look back fondly at my high school years.

I was a teacher at Gaithersburg High School for 19 years. I enjoyed working with Pat and sharing his love for teaching.
Always a smile and willingness to help. The last time I saw him was at a teacher retirement seminar and he ended up interrupting the presenter and explaining, in a much simpler way, something about the retirement process.
He was good at making the challenging understandable.
So very sorry for your loss. He is and always will be one of the good guys.

I met Pat (and brother Mike) during our high school years in Buffalo.  We belonged to the same neighborhood parish and were members of the CYO where we participated in plays and other fun activities.  Pat had a love for running, always had a smile on his face, readily laughed at a good story or joke, played guitar, sang at church services and was incredibly smart. 
My most cherished memory of Pat is that he married my husband and me.  It was important to me that I knew the person who married me, and he graciously agreed to travel to make that happen.  It has been lovely to read all the tributes to Pat that have been posted and I will always think of him fondly.  My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.  Rest in peace, my friend.
Geri (Rodriguez) Sturdevant


I knew Pat through our time together on the MCPS Science Curriculum Team. He was a warm and giving person who always put people first - students, colleagues and his family whom he loved very much. He was the team comedian, too - every day I knew him, he managed to make me smile or laugh.  I will remember him always.
Dina Link

With fond memories of our time with all the OConnors,   Our sympathy to Pats family

My brother and I were one year apart, and we shared many activities together to include boy scouts, CYO, high school operettas, and fishing trips. We took an epic 9,000 mile trip together on a Greyhound bus  for three weeks to see the country as teenagers.  

He was an awesome brother, and I will miss him dearly.

Mike

I worked with Pat through the years as a science RT and curriculum writer. He will be missed by so many -- colleagues, students and obviously friends and family. May he rest peacefully.

We pray the love of God enfolds you during your journey through grief.  Sending our love and prayers.

With deepest sympathy, Dauphin County Criminal Investigation Division

With deepest sympathy, Blanchfield Army Community Hospital Logistics Division, Fort Campbell, KY

He was such a caring teacher! I remember driving to my first day of school, and Wham I had a car accident. Mr. O’Connor was the first to pull over, check on me, and then offered to help and give my passengers a ride. That’s the kind of person he was. He was a terrific motivator, warrior, and teacher! You will be missed!

Uncle Pat, I am so thankful for still
Loving me after Aunt Jean bought me a sky dancers & I NAILED you in the face. You were a gift in the times  you encouraged me to continue my passion in high school education, allowing me to borrow your epic leprechaun costume, the motivation to run track when I wanted to crush burgers. I know you are being welcomed by our loved ones in the banquet of heaven and for that I am thankful. I will
Miss you & may your memory continue to live on!

I had Mr. O'Connor as my high school physics teacher at Sherwood high back in the 1990s.  He went above and beyond to help his students succeed.  In my senior year he volunteered to teach an extra class so myself and a handful of others could take AP physics (this is a bigger deal than it sounds).  His dedication to the subject and his ability to gain my interest in it was a big part of me becoming a successful engineer.  I'm not sure if I'd be where I am today without him.  He was a great man and teacher.  He will be missed.

I love you big brother and I miss you already! You were always so good to me. May God hold you in the palm of his hands all your days in heaven. 

Mr. O'Conner was my high school physics teacher. His enthusiasm in the classroom and passion for science were huge inspirations for me. He motivated me to do my best and went out of his way to help with after school projects. He wrote letters of recommendation for my college applications, which helped continue my education and ultimately a fulfilling career based on the concepts he originally taught me. I am forever grateful he was my teacher.

Pat was an amazing person and a true inspiration to all of us at Sherwood!
His smile, empathy, and positivity always brightened everyone and everything! The world is a better place because of Pat!

Pat is our beloved brother-in-law.   We always enjoyed their company when Pat and Jean came to their condo in Florida.    We enjoyed playing cards and rummy was our favorite card game and of course Pat always won.   Cruising was one of Pat and Jean's favorite vacations.   We loved cruising with them as Pat always planned a wonderful itinerary.   We are missing him!!  

                                                          All our love,

                                                           Dorothy and Jim
                    

With warmth, sympathy, and loving memories of Pat --

I am saddened to hear the news of Patrick’s passing. But I am blessed to have had the pleasure to work with and know Patrick. His passion for science and education was extraordinary. Thank You God for sharing his life with us all.

I never saw Pat without that special light in his eyes with a smile on his face when I greeted him.  He was a man who loved sharing his music and academia. In other words, Pat loved life and his family. He was a proud grandfather and always there for his children and grandchildren. I’m sure his students were given the same special attention. Pat was talented, a doer and achiever. A life well lived. He leaves us a strong footprint. 🍁🍂💐 Mary Sutton

Thank you for all of the found memories. You were always a great role model for our athletes. My deepest sympathy goes to your family.

Pat Was an amazing Role model to me, when t first came to Gaithersburg HS. He Was always available for a chat. Twill al ways fondly remember his physics humor and his Costumes like the Fig 'Newton'.
Jenny Gable, GHS   Teacher

My condolences to his family and to everyone who knew and loved Pat. I remember when we used to collaborate at GHS when my choral students and I talked about tuning and he would piggyback that with a lesson on the physics of sound. He was always so supportive of my choral program. When I joined the leadership team he was someone I could always talk to. May his memory be for a blessing. 

Sheryl Berlin, GHS (Ret.)

OBITUARY

Patrick K. O'Connor

13 April, 1955 – 21 October, 2022

DeVol Funeral Home

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