Jerome "Jerry" O'Connor, 86, died July 18, 2011. Born and raised in Chicopee, MA. a beloved son of the late John and Maud (nee Horgan) O'Connor. Jerry resided in Cleveland for the lat 37 years. He served his country by enlisting in the United States Army during World War II (European theater). Trained as a tool and die maker, Jerry was promoted into management and worked in supervision positions for various Midwest manufacturers including Walker Manufacturing Company in Michigan and Monarch Rubber Company in Ohio before purchasing National Knife Company in Berea in the late seventies. Jerry was owner and president of National Knife Company for over 30 years before selling the company and retiring in 2008. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Betty Rae (nee Green), daughters Kathleen O'Connor, Maureen T. O;Connor, step-daughter Sharon Green and son-in-law Joe Firtha; his sister Gertrude M. Swords of Auburndale, MA and brothers Justin O'Connor of Amherst, MA. Jerry is survived by his children; Patrick M. O'Connor with wife Mary of Plano, TX, Timothy J. O'Connor with wife Mary of Fairview Park, OH, Deborah M. Firtha (Joseph) of Atwater, OH. and Kevin M. O'Connor with Debbie of Vienna, Va.; a sister , Joan Newby of Bowie, MD and sister-in-law Claire "Patsy" O'Connor of Amherst, MA; step-son Kenneth Green with Wife Mary Jane of Cleveland, and step-daughter Judith Ives and husband Warren of Columbia Station; as well as his loving 11 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Jerry was a loyal parishioner of Our Lady of Angels Church for over 25 years. Funeral Mass Thursday July 21 Our Lady of Angels Church (3644 Rocky River Dr) at 10 a.m. Interment St. Joseph Cemetery, Randolph, Ohio. Friends may call at CHAMBERS FUNERAL HOME 4420 ROCKY RIVER DRIVE AT PURITAS WEDNESDAY 3-7 P.M. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jerry's memory to Sisters of Poor Clare at Monastery of the Poor Clares 3501 Rocky River Drive, Cleveland, OH 44111-2998.