Ronald Frank O'Connell
Ronald Frank O’Connell, aka “The Big O”, of North Fort Myers, Florida, passed away on Thursday, November 25th, 2021 at 11:11 AM. He’d always go to lengths to get his family together for the holidays, so it was fitting that he left this world on Thanksgiving Day, surrounded by his family. He was 87. Ron was born on September 8, 1934 in Mentor, Ohio to Alberta Toll Heth and Bartholomew (Bart) O’Connell. He met the love of his life, Agnes Gallagher, through the screen door of his best friend’s house in 1951. This began a 70-year love affair between Ron and Aggie, and they were married in 1954. Ron attended Miami of Ohio University where he studied Engineering before meeting and marrying Aggie. In 1959, Ron and Aggie moved to Indianapolis, where they opened a division of Swagelok called Indiana Valve and Tube Fitting. Later, Ron represented many top trending denim companies, such as Levis and Jordache, and was honored with several “salesman of the year” awards. He also enjoyed a fantastic Sales career with Bee Windows while living in Indianapolis. He was a great listener and negotiator and lived by the motto: “If you don’t ask . . . you don’t get”. Work was important to Ron, but his greatest joy was taking care of his wife and children. Ron was a father to seven children—Terri, Laura, Timmy, Tommy, Jeff, Beth, and Kelly. He also acted as a father figure to whomever entered his children’s lives. In terms of hobbies, he loved driving fast cars and taking friends out on his fast boats. Ron and Aggie semi-retired and moved to Florida in 2003. Ron has been described as a fearless leader, charismatic, loving, generous, and larger than life. He loved cracking jokes and making everyone around him smile and laugh, even up until his final days. Ron cherished his faith, and his love for God grew throughout his life. He converted to Catholicism in 1953 and was deeply involved in the Cursillo movement and religious education. Ron served as an usher and greeter for many years at Sacred Heart in Punta Gorda, Florida, where he’d greet each mass goer with a handshake, hug, or kiss on the cheek. A parishioner told his family that “one of the joys of going to Sunday Mass was to see Ron and his smiling face greeting people and bringing comfort.” Ron was a giver in life, not a taker. He had perseverance and a strong willingness to keep going, even in the tough times. His last words—which he said to his granddaughter—were to “never never give up!” Ron’s family would like to thank the nurses and doctors at Gulf Coast Medical Center in Fort Myers and Hope Hospice in Cape Coral for their kind and loving treatment and care of our Father. Ron left this world at peace, knowing he would soon be in the arms of God, his Father. Ron is survived by his wife, Agnes O’Connell; his children, Laura O’Connell Baciu, Thomas O’Connell, Jeffrey O’Connell, Beth O’Connell, and Kelly O’Connell McGrath; his 13 grandchildren; his 17 great grandchildren; and over 50 nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his children, Timothy O’Connell and Teresa (Terri) O’Connell Waring; his parents, Alberta Toll Heth and Bart O’Connell; his brothers, Patrick O’Connell, James Heth, and Marty Heth; and his sister, Sandra O’Connell. Memorial Services will be held Thursday, December 2nd, 2021 from 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM at Charlotte Memorial Funeral Home, 9400 Indian Spring Cemetery Road in Punta Gorda, FL 33950. Catholic Mass Service to follow at 11:00 AM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 211 W Charlotte Ave, Punta Gorda, FL 33950. Please make memorial contributions on behalf of Ronald O’Connell to the St. Vincent de Paul Catholic charity in Punta Gorda, Florida. https://www.svdp-dov.org/sacred-heart/sh_donate/Obituary
Ronald Frank O’Connell, aka “The Big O”, of North Fort Myers, Florida, passed away on Thursday, November 25th, 2021 at 11:11 AM. He’d always go to lengths to get his family together for the holidays, so it was fitting that he left this world on Thanksgiving Day, surrounded by his family. He was 87. Ron was born on September 8, 1934 in Mentor, Ohio to Alberta Toll Heth and Bartholomew (Bart) O’Connell. He met the love of his life, Agnes Gallagher, through the screen door of his best friend’s house in 1951. This began a 70-year love affair between Ron and Aggie, and they were married in 1954. Ron attended Miami of Ohio University where he studied Engineering before meeting and marrying Aggie. In 1959, Ron and Aggie moved to Indianapolis, where they opened a division of Swagelok called Indiana Valve and Tube Fitting. Later, Ron represented many top trending denim companies, such as Levis and Jordache, and was honored with several “salesman of the year” awards. He also enjoyed a fantastic Sales career with Bee Windows while living in Indianapolis. He was a great listener and negotiator and lived by the motto: “If you don’t ask . . . you don’t get”. Work was important to Ron, but his greatest joy was taking care of his wife and children. Ron was a father to seven children—Terri, Laura, Timmy, Tommy, Jeff, Beth, and Kelly. He also acted as a father figure to whomever entered his children’s lives. In terms of hobbies, he loved driving fast cars and taking friends out on his fast boats. Ron and Aggie semi-retired and moved to Florida in 2003. Ron has been described as a fearless leader, charismatic, loving, generous, and larger than life. He loved cracking jokes and making everyone around him smile and laugh, even up until his final days. Ron cherished his faith, and his love for God grew throughout his life. He converted to Catholicism in 1953 and was deeply involved in the Cursillo movement and religious education. Ron served as an usher and greeter for many years at Sacred Heart in Punta Gorda, Florida, where he’d greet each mass goer with a handshake, hug, or kiss on the cheek. A parishioner told his family that “one of the joys of going to Sunday Mass was to see Ron and his smiling face greeting people and bringing comfort.” Ron was a giver in life, not a taker. He had perseverance and a strong willingness to keep going, even in the tough times. His last words—which he said to his granddaughter—were to “never never give up!” Ron’s family would like to thank the nurses and doctors at Gulf Coast Medical Center in Fort Myers and Hope Hospice in Cape Coral for their kind and loving treatment and care of our Father. Ron left this world at peace, knowing he would soon be in the arms of God, his Father. Ron is survived by his wife, Agnes O’Connell; his children, Laura O’Connell Baciu, Thomas O’Connell, Jeffrey O’Connell, Beth O’Connell, and Kelly O’Connell McGrath; his 13 grandchildren; his 17 great grandchildren; and over 50 nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his children, Timothy O’Connell and Teresa (Terri) O’Connell Waring; his parents, Alberta Toll Heth and Bart O’Connell; his brothers, Patrick O’Connell, James Heth, and Marty Heth; and his sister, Sandra O’Connell. Memorial Services will be held Thursday, December 2nd, 2021 from 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM at Charlotte Memorial Funeral Home, 9400 Indian Spring Cemetery Road in Punta Gorda, FL 33950. Catholic Mass Service to follow at 11:00 AM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 211 W Charlotte Ave, Punta Gorda, FL 33950. Please make memorial contributions on behalf of Ronald O’Connell to the St. Vincent de Paul Catholic charity in Punta Gorda, Florida. https://www.svdp-dov.org/sacred-heart/sh_donate/