Jeremiah “Jerry” W. O’Connell passed peacefully at his home on August 29, 2026, surrounded by family who loved him dearly. A lifetime resident of the Syracuse area, he was a serial entrepreneur, owning and co-owning businesses since the 1960s. Jerry’s businesses included Onondaga Ceiling Company, Shamrock Properties, Onondaga Coin-Op Laundry Distributors, The Laundry Company and Colonial Laundromats. He purchased, built and/or renovated many types of real estate, including apartments, hotels, and other commercial buildings.

Active in the community, he was a member of the Board of Directors of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Syracuse and received both local and national awards from the organization. As a young man, he was a member of the Boys Club of Syracuse. He and his wife enjoyed traveling, especially to the Western US and to Ireland and spent many good times at their home in Boca Raton, FL.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 67 years, Carolyn J. (Bell) O’Connell, his daughters Christine O’Connell More (Randy More) and Terry O’Connell-Raymond (Larry Raymond) and his son, Timothy (Tim) O’Connell (Elisa Wagner O’Connell.) He is also survived by his many beloved grandchildren and great grandchildren as well as nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his son, Patrick (Pat) O’Connell, his brother, Joseph F. O’Connell and his parents Francis and Mary Frances Earley O’Connell.

Calling hours are from 4 – 7 pm on Wednesday, September 9, 2026 at the Edward J. Ryan & Son Funeral Home, 3180 Bellevue Avenue, Syracuse, NY 13219 with an additional calling hour on Thursday. September 10th, 2026 from 9 – 10 am. A funeral service will be held immediately following at 10am. Burial will follow at the Onondaga Valley Cemetery, 2500 Valley Drive, Nedrow, NY 13120.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in Jerry’s memory be made to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Syracuse, 2100 E. Fayette St., Syracuse, NY 13224.