16-05-2025
Donald Joseph O'Connor, Youngstown, Ohio
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) – Donald Joseph O'Connor passed away Friday, May 9, 2025.
He was born on September 1, 1931, in Youngstown, Ohio, the son of John Francis O'Connor and Agnes Ann Carroll O'Connor and brother of Jack O'Connor.
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In 1938, his family opened a vacuum cleaner business in the basement of their home on Lowell Avenue on the South Side. Three years later, the family moved O'Connor Sales and Service to 3224 Market Street, where it has been operated for 84 years.
Donald has been in the vacuum cleaner business since age 16, where he did whatever jobs his father needed to do.
Donald served in the Army Signal Corps during the Korean War, where he was stationed in Japan. He was honorably discharged in August 1954 and returned to Youngstown to continue his career in the sweeper business.
In the mid-1970s, his father, mother and brother died and he became the sole owner of O'Connor Sales and Service, where he worked for 77 years.
He was a collector of new and old vacuum cleaners. Numerous models lined the walls of his store, including hand-pumped and friction-powered devices that were built as far back as 1910.
He was also a car enthusiast and was the proud owner of four 1964 Oldsmobiles. He was a charter member of the Oldsmobile Club of America and an active member of the Youngstown Oldsmobile Club, where he participated in local and national car competitions. His collection received multiple awards for Best in Show and Best Restoration.
He was a member of the Market Street Business Owners Association and a member of St. Dominic Catholic Church.
The store closed in 2024 when Don moved into Austin Woods Long-Term Care Facility, where he remained until his death on Friday, May 9, 2025, at age 93.
Don's passing was preceded by his father, mother, brother and his long-time companion, Luana Marie Jarvis. He leaves behind his family, including Robert and Lonnie Jarvis Lohfeld, Bob and Kristin Lohfeld, Amy and Steve Secrist and five great-grandchildren, all of whom live in Virginia. He also leaves behind his business manager of 47 years, Ron Brownlie.
He will remain in our hearts forever.
Private funeral services were held at Fox Funeral Home at 10:00 a.m., on Friday, May 16, 2025, with Rev. Frassati Davis, O.P. from St. Dominic Church.
He was buried in Calvary Cemetery with his family, with military honors.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Edward J. Fox & Sons Funeral Home, 4700 Market Street in Boardman.
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