Terence Michael “Zac” O’Connell was born on 21st February, 1957 and passed away on 27th January, 2024.
Aged 66 years. Late of Rokeby Court, Bundaberg and formerly of Brisbane. Passed away at the Bundaberg Base Hospital on January 27th, 2024. Beloved husband of Judith. Dearly loved father and father-in-law of Jaee & Sarah, Skye-Marie & Daniel, James (dec’d), and Heath. Loving grandfather of Lily-Anne, Elliott, Thomas and Bonita. Loved brother of Tess, Sue, and Mary, brother-in-law to Wendy and loved uncle of their respective families.
“Forever In Our Hearts”
A Private Cremation for Zac will be held as per family wishes.
Much love and condolences to Judy ~ Zac will be greatly missed by The Danko’s
Our full condolences to you Judy. We are thinking of you with lots of love from the Iborra Family, Darren, Jack and Scarlett
Only knew Zac for a short time, but enjoyed coffee and chats with him, solving the world’s problems one by one. Condolences to Judy and Zac’s family.
Zac you brought a lot of joy and happiness into Judy’s life and we will be forever grateful for that. You have gone too soon. You will be forever in our hearts.
Wendy, Vince, Ethan and Caitlin
I grew to love my brother-in-law Zac. He did me honour by agreeing to be godfather to my children, which was something we both felt strongly about. I will miss him. My condolences to you Judy & Zac’s family.
For a week I’ve been trying to write this but at just 66 it feels so cruel that you, and us, have been robbed of so much.
You should be enjoying so many years of love and laughter with Judy, your family and friends, it truely breaks my heart to have to summarise my love for you and your life in so little words.
While words can’t capture the roller coaster of emotions we’ve all felt since you left us we’re trying to take comfort and celebrate the time and memories we have.
Dad was an accomplished engineer, a proud ex- RAAF serviceman, speaking so fondly of his work and mateship. He taught me that being of service to your country and community was important and our duty.
In his later years he got to travel for work and whilst despising some of the tourist in Italy for their rudeness to hospitality workers he loved his trips there to establish remote bio medical operations as it meant being surrounded by the best red wine, pizza and cheese in the world, according to him.
He loved tinkering and inventing new ways to live off grid, especially on the block with Judy. He loved his music, an eclectic taste ranging from Elvis to the power ballads of Shania Twain. Your vinyl records are safe with Elliott Dad, he is just as protective of them as you were.
Dad was an intelligent, sharp witted man, he never stopped trying to learn new things, not just all things electrical and building but also, endearingly, was often on a soap box about one political or world event or another. He was also so willing to share his knowledge with one that would ask.
We laughed a lot, sharing the same, at times a little dark humour, that I’m going to really miss.
While I admire my Mum & Dad for trying to stay together as long as they did I’m grateful for their strength to chose a life showing us what love could be. I am eternally grateful that my Dad found so much love, adventure and happiness with Judy. Judy, he cherished you, and you him, that was clear for anyone to see. His love for you will forever live on and thank you for all you did for him when he was no longer able to.
Dad is reunited with my brother James, which I know he took comfort in knowing that he could be by his side again.
You are so loved Dad, a future not having you with us is so hard to process. We will do our best to honour all that you have taught and hold our loved ones close.
Love forever, your daughter
Skye
Skye deepest sympathy to you & your family. We were priviledged to be a neighbour of Zac & Judy at Electra & were amazed at how much Zac had packed in to his life. He was a great neighbour & inspiration to us to get us in to the technical age.
You have put your Dad’s life in to beautiful words. Take care
Heartfelt condolences to Judy and his family.
Rest in Peace Terry.
Our one and only brother Terry (Zac), may he rest in peace.
I would like to share my favourite memory of my little brother.
When my marriage date coincided with his birthday on the 21st February, I was concerned that I was taking his day away from him. He not only willingly shared his day but took the place of the father that we didn’t have by walking me down the aisle.
A completely selfless thing to do.
There is a place in our hearts that cannot ever be refilled.
I am still processing the loss of our little brother. Words fail me, no words are never enough. I feel Skye’s pain and her words described Zac exactly as the man I knew too. He left the best legacy one can leave and that is his children and grandchildren who are all beautiful and talented people who will carry his memory to future generations.
Zac and I had each other’s back against the world from an early age. We were closest in age with him being the youngest and we got up to all sorts of mischief as children. Like our sister Sue, Zac gave me away on my marriage to my husband 53 years ago in October. He was always clever and could turn his hand to so many things and his thirst for knowledge knew no boundary. It is funny how we never tell those closest to us how much we love them and how proud we are of them, we had so many things unsaid. Judy was his love and light and I hope Zac knew just how much he was loved and will be sorely missed by us all. He was always a shining star!