Maurice "Pat" O'Connell

Maurice "Pat" O'Connell, 84, of Gulfport, died December 16, 2010. He spent his working career building major bridges including the Tapenzee, Throgs Neck, and Rikers Island Bridges in New York and rebuilding hotels such as the Taft and Halloran House in New York City. He headed up the construction of the first early warning system off the coast of Massachusetts. Always fascinated with the stock market, he later became a partner in a private New York brokerage firm that opened an office in Dunedin. That office developed, taking several Florida companies, including Larry's Ice Cream, public. His interest in everything technical and innovative eventually led him to become involved with the emerging cellular telephone industry and licensing in wireless telephone systems throughout the US. Born in Staten Island, New York, he married and lived on Long Island until moving to Dunedin following his divorce. Soon after he met and married his wife, Bonnie, by whom he is survived, along with three of his four children, John, Maryellen and Theresa; and two stepchildren, Scott and Shera Haliczer, He is also survived buy 11 grandchildren and thee all of whom he adored. His second son, Brian, preceded him in death. Funeral service will be at 1 pm Monday at David C. Gross Funeral Home in St. Petersburg, with burial immediately following at Royal Palm Cemetery South. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Menorah Manor, Temple Beth-El, or Wounded Warriors. David C. Gross Funeral Homes, Central Avenue Chapel, St. Petersburg is serving the family Service Information