Cleveland Public Library was recently honored to accept a gift from the Patrick O’Connor Trust. Named for the late Patrick Joseph O’Connor, this trust reflects the life of a selfless individual who quietly gave back to his community. The value of the trust assets directed to Cleveland Public Library amounts to $86,701.90.
Mr. O’Connor was born January 7, 1935. He was a long-time resident of Garfield Heights and lived more recently in Bedford. He was a U.S. Army veteran, a devout Catholic, and worked for the FirstEnergy Corporation. According to The Plain Dealer, Mr. O’Connor “was a gentle man who lived a quiet and simple life, asking for little and enjoying the simple pleasures.” He was a fan of the Cleveland Indians and the Cleveland Cavaliers; his obituary photo shows him wearing a Cavaliers 2016 NBA Championships hat.
Mr. O’Connor passed away on June 15, 2017. He was eighty-two years old.
“On behalf of everyone at Cleveland Public Library, I’d like to thank Patrick O’Connor for creating this trust and for extending support to the Library,” says Felton Thomas Jr., Cleveland Public Library Executive Director and CEO. “We are honored and grateful that Mr. O’Connor saw our Library fit to receive the benefits of his hard work. His gift is extraordinary, and we recognize the years of work and self-sacrifice that made it possible.”
The Cleveland Public Library Board of Trustees officially accepted this gift at its May 22, 2018 board meeting. Those who are interested in learning more about planned giving at Cleveland Public Library may contact Shenise Johnson at shenise.johnson-thomas@cpl.org or 216-623-2940.