Jeremiah Joseph O'Connor, III

Jeremiah Joseph O’Connor III, 91, of Lombard, Illinois, and Cape Coral, Florida, passed away on Monday, September 29, 2025, in Cape Coral. Born in Chicago on June 5, 1934, to Jeremiah Joseph O’Connor II and Ann O’Connor, Jeremiah’s early life was marked by moves that shaped his character. He grew up in Lombard but moved with his family to Tucson, Arizona, as a young man. It was there he embraced the cowboy spirit, developing a passion for watching and participating in traveling rodeos and riding broncos.

Jeremiah’s journey took a new direction with his draft into the Army in 1953, where he served for two years and earned an honorable discharge. He honed his skills as a surveyor during his military service, a profession he returned to upon his return to Lombard. However, a new calling emerged in 1959 when he joined the IBEW apprentice program to become an electrician. He received his journeyman card from Local 701 in Wheaton in 1960, beginning a long and distinguished career.

Jeremiah’s commitment to the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) was unwavering. He held numerous positions throughout his career, actively participating in safety, negotiating, labor-management, and political committees. He also dedicated his time to instructing apprentices locally, sharing his knowledge with the next generation. His leadership extended to the community, where he was president of the DuPage County Building Trades Council and volunteered with the Red Cross, the United Way, and the Aurora Blood Bank.

His professional life culminated in serving as an international representative for the 6th district, followed by his tenure as secretary-treasurer for the international IBEW office in Washington D.C. from 2001 to 2005. He was widely respected for his many accomplishments and continued to serve as a resource and mentor long after his retirement from Washington.

Jeremiah was a man of faith, attending Sacred Heart Catholic Church and school in Lombard as a child. In his later years, as a snowbird resident of Cape Coral, he attended St. Katharine Drexel Catholic Church.

He is survived by his two daughters, Diane Lebreux of Joliet, IL, and Debra (Rick) Shultz of Naples, FL; grandchildren, Jamie (Richard) Juda, Jason Lebreux, Taryn Shultz, Ricky (Emily) Shultz, and Jordan Shultz; and great-grandchildren, Jacob, Mckenna, Aiden, Justin, Nathan, Emily, Arlington, Abel, and Ophelia.

Jeremiah was preceded in death by his first wife, Annette O’Connor, in 2009, and his second wife, Nancy O’Connor, in 2022. He is also survived by his late wife Nancy’s daughters, Rachel (Jerad) Barker and Lisa Pattullo; her grandchildren, Jordan (Colin) Merriman and Jeffery (Katey) Menear; and great-grandchildren, Tristan, Blake, and Dorothy.

Jeremiah Joseph O’Connor III leaves behind a legacy of hard work, dedication, and service to his family, his union, and his community. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

A Celebration of Life to be held at a later date. Details to be announced via www.MullinsMemorial.com.

Memorial Contributions in memory of Jeremiah Joseph O’Connor, III are suggested to The Salvation Army Donate to The Salvation Army Honor and Memorial Gifts Friends are invited to send condolences via the on-line guest book which can be found at www.MullinsMemorial.com.

Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cape Coral, is entrusted with final care.