Dennis O'Connor

Dennis Paul O’Connor Sr. (Butch), age 87, of Happy Valley (Portland), Oregon, passed away peacefully on March 9, 2025 from organ failure and complications from dementia. He was born on April 8, 1937 in Detroit, Michigan to the late Francis and Clara O’Connor. Dennis is survived by his beloved wife, Jann, of 43 years, whom he married on January 1, 1982.

Dennis’ legacy is one of “live hard, work hard and play hard.” The consummate salesperson and marketing executive, Dennis built his professional career in the printing and advertising industries. His expertise was in the heavy truck market, where he was recognized for more than 30 years as an industry expert in his role as Vice President-Sales and Associate Publisher at California-based Heavy Duty Trucking magazine. Dennis was also the owner and publisher of Fleet Product News, a print and early adopter on-line magazine serving the owner/operator market.

After retirement, Dennis and Jann travelled and explored the country for several years in their RV before they established roots in suburban Portland, Oregon where he enjoyed walking his pet cats and watching reruns of his favorite television show NCIS.

Dennis was the eighth of 10 children. He was an exceptional high school athlete at St. Mary’s of Redford in Detroit where he played both football and basketball. He was an All-State end his senior year and earned football scholarship offers at the University of Notre Dame, the University of Michigan, the University of Iowa, and the inaugural class of the newly formed Air Force Academy. His high school football coach was the late Jerry Burns who went on to coach the Minnesota Vikings in the National Football League.

Both before and during retirement, Dennis exhibited a contagious zest for life. He enjoyed walks and day trips around Oregon and exploring Portland with his wife and friends. When he wasn’t cooking for family or friends, he could be found imbibing at various local Portland area restaurants. Dennis especially enjoyed his annual weekend trips with his four sons to Las Vegas or other locations – a family tradition that spanned the last 28 years of his life.

Dennis was preceded in death by 6 of his 9 siblings: Jerry, Jackie, Dick, Phyllis, Frank and Sharon. He is survived by sisters Alice and Katie and brother Tim.

He leaves behind many extended family members and friends, including 4 sons, 11 grandchildren and 7 great-grand children. His sons include: Dennis Jr. (and Gail) and their two daughters Sara Badalamente (and Ben) and their three children Francis, Thomas, and Matthew, and Lisa Brzozowski (and Marc) and their two children Lauren and Megan; Kevin and his three children Deane, Ellis and Liam; David (and Debbie) and his two children Olivia Amaya (and Yasu) and their child Oliver, and Kate O’Connor (and Nick Stauffer) and their child Ren; and Larry (and Meredith) and his four children Quinn, Veronica, Christian and Evan James (E.J).

Dennis’ memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew him.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that a donation be made to Wings of Rescue in honor of Dennis.

https://givebutter.com/Dennis_Oconnor_memorial