Students Respond to Joliet Area Coach and Teacher Passing Away at 62: “He did everything with genuin
Photo Courtesy of InterMat Wrestling
Pat O’Connell, a teacher and coach in the Joliet area for over 40 years, passed away on March 31 at the age of 62 following a courageous battle with cancer, according to www.theherald-news.com. O’Connell competed in wrestling, cross country and track and field throughout his life and coached some of the sports as well.
O'Connell, according to www.intermatwrestle.com, worked at Joliet East and Joliet Central high schools before making his mark with the return of the wrestling program at Joliet Junior College after a nearly 30-year absence from the sport.
Students across the Joliet area have responded to the tragedy. Giovanni Alvarado, former Joliet Central cross country runner said, “Coach O’Connell’s legacy left us with the gift of believing we are able to conquer our goals. He did everything with genuine love.”
“Coach O’Connell was an inspiration to all faculty, students and the community,” said another former Joliet Central student, Ashley Hare. “Whenever Pat was in the room, he would put a smile on your face. When I would see him in the hallway, I always had to stop and talk to him. He truly cared about his students and athletes. He will truly be missed.”
Jalen Williams, Joliet resident and current University of St. Francis (USF) student said, “I didn’t know him personally, but a lot of people loved him. He was an inspiration to all of the athletes and pushed students to be the best they could be. He was a wonderful man who will be missed forever in the Joliet area.”
According to www.theherald-news.com, coaching ran in the O’Connell family. His father, Dale Sr. and his brothers Dale Jr. and Mike, all coached in the Joliet area and the Joliet Township District. Pat O’Connell was inducted into the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association Hall of Fame in 2017.
In an obituary published by www.forsythegouldfh.com, Pat O'Connell is survived by his wife of 26 years, Susan, his children, Patrick and Molly, and his five siblings.
