Robert "Bob" Paul O'Connell

August 1, 1944 – March 28, 2025

Robert “Bob” Paul O’Connell, 80, of Bloomington, Minnesota, passed away suddenly March 28, 2025, in Mesa, Arizona.

Bob was born on August 1, 1944, in Long Beach, California, and was raised in St. Paul by his parents, Charles and Frances (Gilmer) O’Connell. He attended Cretin High School and earned a BA in Journalism and History from the University of St. Thomas. From 1966 to 1968, Bob proudly served as a Lance Corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps reporting on NATO exercises in Europe.

Following his military service, he worked at Miller Publishing in Minneapolis where he met Dianne Youso. They married in 1970 and had four daughters. He dedicated his career to journalism and public relations, where his creativity and sharp mind left a lasting impact.

After Dianne’s passing in 2013, Bob married Deborah Henry in 2014. After Deb passed in 2020, he married Mary Bredenberg in 2022, and they made their home together in Bloomington, Minnesota.

Bob was a man of great faith. A devout Catholic, he loved the rosary. He was an active member of People of Praise, and for 40 years, he led Project Angel Tree, providing Christmas presents to children with incarcerated parents.

He found joy in life’s simple pleasures—sitting on his deck with a cold beer and cigar, watching a Twins game, reading a spy novel, or enjoying a good Western.

He is survived by his wife, Mary; his daughters, Colleen (Juan Diaz), Shannon (Quentin Phillips), Molly (Justin Streiff), and Heather (Jason Dubin), and his grandchildren Frances, Finnegan, Conor, Cormac, and Declan Streiff and Henry Phillips, as well as many beloved siblings, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Frances, his two late wives Dianne and Deborah, twin brother Tod O’Connell and sister Nancy Sweeney and nephew Patrick O’Connell.

A funeral Mass will be held at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Mendota on April 10, 2025. Visitation at 10am, Mass at 11am, Burial at St. Peter’s Cemetery at 12:30pm, and Luncheon at St. Peter’s Church to follow the burial.

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