Kenneth O'Connor Kenneth George O'Connor, 81, of Pickford, was a longtime teacher and coach at Pickford schools and established O'Connor's automobile dealership in Pickford. Some of Mr. O'Connor's favorite memories included earning his Army Air Force Wings, coaching Pickford's basketball team in the Class D finals, and receiving District and National Awards from Chrysler Corporation. Mr. O'Connor died Tuesday, August 1, 2006, at War Memorial Hospital in Sault Ste. Marie.

He was born January 14, 1925, in Montello, Wisconsin, to William and Catherine (nee Fenlon) O'Connor.

After graduation from Montello High School in 1943, he entered the Army Air Force Cadet Training Program. He was graduated as a Second Lieutenant, Bombardier Navigator. After World War II, Mr. O'Connor attended Oshkosh State Teachers College and later was graduated from Northern Michigan University. He worked on Transmission Line Construction, and then, from 1954 to 1976, he taught school and coached sports in Pickford.

Mr. O'Connor purchased a used car sales license in 1959 and sold used automobiles. In 1972, he added a Chrysler, Plymouth, Dodge franchise and later added Jeep and Eagle. Although ill health forced him to retire in 1994, some of his sons continue his business at O'Connor's in Pickford.

He was a member of the Holy Family Catholic Church in Barbeau, where he served as Parish Council member, lector, and on the Loretto School Board. He was a former member of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Venice, Florida. Mr. O'Connor served on the Pickford School Board of Education for one term, was a member of the Retired Teachers of Chippewa and Mackinac counties, a past member of the Pickford Lions Club, Michigan Auto Dealers Association, National Auto Dealers Association, and the Chrysler Penta Star Club.

Mr. O'Connor enjoyed golfing as a member at the Munoscong Golf Association in Pickford and at Plantation Golf Club in Venice, Florida.

Mr. and Mrs. O'Connor enjoyed travel and his awards from Chrysler Corporation included trips to several U.S. cities, and abroad, to Rome and Venice, Italy, Madrid, Spain, Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal, Canada, London, England, and Paris, France.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann (nee Noreen); six sons and their families, William O'Connor, Richard "Duke" O'Connor, and Barry and Mary O'Connor, all of Pickford, Dan O'Connor of Kincheloe, Timothy and Jeanette O'Connor of Little Rock, Arkansas, and Thomas and Mary Kaye O'Connor of Yukon, Oklahoma; nine grandchildren, Marc, Joshua, Jordon, Chelsey Marie, Kenneth, Thomas, Zachery, Jonathan Chance, and Hailee Jo; one great-grandson, Logan; step-grandchildren, Paul, Kelly, Mark, and Katie Madison, and Justin and Rachel Allen; and four step-great-grandchildren. Mr. O'Connor is also survived by a sister-in-law, Ella O'Connor, a niece, Mary Ellen Bakken, a nephew, Michael P. O'Connor, and their families, all of Madison, Wisconsin; a brother-in-law and his wife, Richard and Sandy Noreen and their family of Rohnert Park, California; and a brother-in-law, Drew Onsgaard of Vancouver, Washington.

He was preceded in death by one son, Kenneth George O'Connor Jr., his parents, one sister, Mary Ellen O'Connor, and two brothers, Anthony and Thomas O'Connor.

Visitation was held Thursday, August 3, from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. with prayers at 8:30 p.m. at Reamer Galer Funeral Home in Pickford. Mass of Christian Burial was held Friday, August 4, at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church in Barbeau, with Brother John Hascall as celebrant.

Entombment will be at Oaklawn Chapel Gardens in Bruce Township.