Sports journalist O'Connell pays tribute to his brother

When Dale G. O’Connell Sr. and his wife, Estelle, moved the O’Connell clan to Joliet in 1964, it initiated a teaching and coaching legacy that has lasted 55 years and counting, with several of their grandkids carrying on the rich tradition at schools throughout Will County.

Dale O’Connell Sr., who died of cancer in 1971 at age 52, was Joliet East’s first boys basketball coach, and son Mike was the last boys basketball coach at the school that closed in 1983. Mike also led Joliet Township’s boys basketball teams to an Elite Eight appearance in 1993-94 and a Final Four berth in 1994-95.

Dale O’Connell Jr. was an assistant coach on four Joliet Catholic state championship football teams from 1975 to 1978, and he guided Joliet Township's co-op softball team to the state championship in 2000.

And the youngest O’Connell sibling, Patrick James O’Connell, helped coach Joliet Central to the IHSA Class AA wrestling dual team championship in 1985. He also led the movement to restart Joliet Junior College's wrestling program. He was honored by being inducted into the Illinois Wresting Coaches and Officials Association Hall of Fame in 2017.

He spent nearly four decades coaching and teaching at Joliet East and Central. Pat retired from teaching physical education two years ago, but he continued to coach cross-country and wrestling until lung cancer sidelined him before the start of this year’s wrestling season.

Pat passed away on March 31 at age 62. When news of his death spread across social media, I was overwhelmed, yet curiously not surprised, by the outpouring of affection over his departure. This explosion of emotion magnifies the impact a beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, cousin, friend, teacher, coach, colleague and rugby teammate can have on a community.

I admired the way our baby brother conducted his life.

Pat was a fun-loving, good-natured man who had the ability to make even the mundane seem meaningful. He was a genuinely kind, honest, humble and loyal person. There wasn't a pretentious bone in his stocky, no-neck body. His idea of making a fashion statement was coordinating his sweatpants and his sweatshirt. He was a family man first and foremost.

He had no patience for petty pursuits. He lived simply but fully, exuberantly embracing every moment, never muffling his joy. He had the heart of a 12-year-old and, at times, the joke repertoire to match. Whether in mid-scrum, frolicking in a parking lot with fellow Parrot Heads, kayaking with his tight-knit clan, teaching a freshman a takedown technique or enjoying a cold one at Wrigley, Pat pursued life with unparalleled passion.

Pat was a fierce competitor. He wasn’t the greatest athlete at Joliet East, Millikin University or on rugby fields throughout the world, but I’m told he was best teammate you could ever have. And he set the example for how to truly enjoy life. He easily smiled and laughed, and was quick with a quip accompanied by the unmistakable twinkle in his eye. He rejoiced in his Irish heritage. He loved traditions and gatherings and had a knack for putting positive spins on life's many curveballs. He was a jokester and joke-teller extraordinaire.

Observing Pat strive to stay alive for his beloved bride, Sue, and his adoring children, Patrick and Molly, gave credence to the saying "The Irish Never Quit!" Although Pat had lost more than 50 pounds and was connected to oxygen most of the time from January to spring break, he worked hard with a physical therapist and on his own to be able to make the annual pilgrimage to Cocoa Beach, Fla., something he had done for some 35 years. Pat endured the car ride and wore a wide smile as he sat and peered at the ocean, but he was too weak to put his toes in the water. He returned to Channahon early and died five days later.

My mother used to say that Pat, her youngest child, most reminded her of her husband. And the words used to describe Dale O’Connell Sr.’s life and death at a Joliet East ceremony in 1972 perfectly apply to Pat:

With the death of Dale G. O’Connell Sr., the Joliet East campus and the community lost a man who epitomized total commitment and dedication to his specialties – athletics, physical education and sportsmanship. His dedication to those who were associated with him in his works – the students, the teachers, the community – was unbelievable. Dale knew how to win. Dale knew how to live. Dale knew how to die. He fought as he lived, as he coached, as he taught – with all his heart to win. His victory denied, he accepted unflinchingly the decision – death. For his courage – mental, physical, moral – and for his dedication to his profession, we decree that the memory of this man be kept alive, and that this gymnasium shall henceforth be named The Dale O’Connell Memorial Gymnasium.

Patrick James O’Connell embraced life, and he devoted his life to family, friends, students and athletes. He gave all he had every day. So long, Pat. You represented the best of us.

Editors note: Bill O'Connell, whose journalism career has spanned over 40 years, is the brother of longtime Joliet Central, East and Township coach Pat O'Connell, who recently passed away at age 62. Bill began his career working as a sports freelancer at The Herald-News before getting a journalism degree at Lewis University and serving long stints at papers such as the Chicago Tribune and the Denver Post, distinguishing himself as a Copy Chief and editor. He asked The Herald-News to print this personal tribute to his brother.