Peter Elton O'Connor

Peter Elton O'Connor

April 9th, 1945 - October 19th, 2020

Peter Elton O'Connor ( Big Pete ) was born in Waterbury, Connecticut on April 9th, 1945 to Lawrence and Eleanor O'Connor. Pete was the youngest of four brothers, Larry Jr, Richard, Thomas, and Pete. The O'Connor Family later moved to Lowell, Massachusetts and Montclair, New Jersey. In 1961, when Pete was 16, the family moved West to California eventually settling in Baldwin Park.

Pete joined the Navy in 1963 and worked on the Fire Department Crash Crew in Hawaii prior to building an airstrip in Chu Lai, Vietnam as a heavy equipment operator with the Naval Mobile Construction Battalion or Seabees, earning him The National Defense Service Medal and The Vietnam Service Medal.

After returning from his service, he married his loving wife of 54 years Cheryl in 1966 having three sons, Peter, Ryan, and Casey, and later welcomed a grandson Trevor.
Pete bought a house in Baldwin Park, using the $1000 he won in a gas station scratch off game as a down payment, and eventually moved to Redlands, CA in 1989.

Pete was a salesman for over forty years, including his own business Baldwin Distributors. A master at gaining new accounts and building routes, Pete sold food products, novelties, books, sundries, etc. and later cars as an award winning salesman with Tom Bell Chevrolet here in Redlands.

Pete loved his family, his Dachshunds Chorizo, Willie, and recently Sunny, and classic cars. He was a lifetime member of the VFW and a member of The American Legion.
After retirement, he joined the car club the "Over The Hill Gang" eventually becoming treasurer. Pete also volunteered with the "Volunteers For Veterans" group in which he made many lasting friendships, garnering him the nickname "The Hook" for his substantial gain in raffle ticket sales and he was proud to help other Veterans in need.

He was preceded in death by his parents Lawrence and Eleanor O'Connor, and oldest brother Larry Jr.

He is survived by his brothers Richard O'Connor of Upland, CA, Thomas O'Connor of Shingletown, CA. wife Cheryl of Redlands, CA, sons Peter O'Connor of Bentonville,AK, Ryan O'Connor of Redlands, CA, Casey O'Connor of North Hollywood, CA and grandson Trevor O'Connor of Bullhead City, AZ.

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