Patrick O’Connor

Patrick O’Connor

Patrick O’Connor was born in Missoula, MT. He came to Palmer, Alaska when he was in high school in 1948. He worked in the mess hall at Jonesville Coal Mine.

After graduation he was asked to work as a mechanic at the coal mine. In 1952, he was called into the Army. He spent 2 years in the Army at Fort Richardson. He then went back to the coal mine and worked until they closed down.

In 1955, he married Arleta Goodrich. They had two sons, Ron in 1958 and Dan in 1960. After several years of mechanic work, he went to Mt. McKinley Park in 1971. The family liked it there. Pat built a house of the park and they lived there until Pat retired in 1992. Pat and Arleta moved back to Palmer where they were raised. Pat built a beautiful home out of Palmer. He was such a worker and could help friends with jobs. If Pat was not working in his shop, he was outdoors fishing, hunting, and exploring. It’s been said Pat wrote the book on fixing things Alaska style.

Pat is survived by his wife of 65 years, Arleta; son Ron O’Connor and his wife Kim McMillan; son Dan O’Connor; granddaughters Danielle O’Connor, Breann O’Connor, and Teal O’Connor; and great grandson, Kael Evans.

A celebration of life will be held later this summer.

Donations can be made to the Museum of Alaska Transportation, where he often volunteered.