Patrick Joseph O'Connell

Patrick was born to Michael and Patricia O’Connell on July 6, 1964, in Des Moines, Iowa. He spent most of his childhood in Springfield, Illinois, and his teenage years in Leawood, Kansas. He received a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, a Master of Arts in Economics, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Kansas. He was a member of Tau Beta Pi, the engineering honor society, and the Kansas Law Review. He was admitted to practice law in New York, Washington, D.C., and Minnesota and before the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Patrick worked at law firms in New York City and Washington D.C. before moving to Minnesota in 1993. He was a partner at Popovich, Wiles & O’Connell, P.A., recently retiring after 25 years with the firm.

On January 15, 1994, he married Laura Dee Rohan. Together, they have two children, Ellen and Joseph, with whom he shared his great passion for music and science. He loved going to see bands, visiting museums, and attending the theater. Patrick was admired for his kindness, wit, and intelligence. He was brilliant yet unpretentious. His proudest accomplishments were his beloved children. While his passing is heartbreaking, we are so grateful to have had him in our lives. We will think of his impeccable taste in music whenever we hear one of his favorite songs or see a band he loved play live.

Patrick was preceded in death by his father, Michael O’Connell. He is survived by his wife Laura, daughter Ellen, son Joseph, mother Patricia, sister and brother-in-law Mary O’Connell and Steven Hill, sister and brother-in-law Jane O’Connell and Douglas Schulte, numerous nieces and nephews, and many other relatives and friends.

A memorial gathering of family and friends will be held on Friday, June 3rd from 5-8 pm at Carver Lake Picnic Shelter, 3175 Century Avenue South, Woodbury, MN 55125.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to The Science Museum of Minnesota or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.