Obituary of Francis "Chant" T. O'Connor

ILION – Francis “Chant” T. O’Connor, age 96, of Park St., Ilion, formerly of Frankfort, passed away on Wednesday, August 1, 2018, at home.

He was born on March 11, 1922, in Frankfort, the son of Thomas and Nellie (McCarthy) O’Connor and attended Frankfort schools.  On September 21, 1946, he was married to Anne Hannrety, at St. Francis de Sales Church, Utica.  She died on September 19, 2010.  Chant was a system technician at New York Telephone Co., Herkimer and AT&T, Utica, for over 45 years.  He attended the Church of the Annunciation, Ilion.  Chant was a member of Ilion Elks Lodge #1444, Ilion Knights of Columbus and Telephone Pioneers.  He also was a volunteer for Frankfort Fire Dept. and Ilion Fire Dept.

Surviving family members include his daughter, Christine Wellenstein and her husband, Mitchell; his sons, Thomas and Patrick; several grandchildren; great-grandchildren; nieces; nephews and cousins.

He was predeceased by his wife; four sons, Daniel, Brian, Michael and Kevin O’Connor; his four brothers, John, Joseph, Timothy and Patrick Thomas O’Connor; and two sisters, Helen Alexander and Ann “Peg” Yardley.

Funeral services will be private and held at the convenience of the family.  Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Frankfort, next to his wife, Anne.  In keeping with Chant’s wishes, there are no scheduled public calling hours or public funeral service.

Anyone wishing to share a memory of Chant, or add to his online memorial, may go to www.applegateandday.com.

The family wishes to thank caregivers, Daureen Hunt and her son, David Hunt and Nick Pianella for their impeccable care and compassion given to “Chant”.

Chant’s funeral services were prearranged and entrusted to his family Funeral Director and long time friend, Don Applegate, at the Applegate-Day & Enea Family Funeral Home’s original location at 102 West St., Ilion, NY (315-895-7722).