Patrick O'Connell

Born in Winnipeg in 1944, Patrick O’Connell attended St. Paul’s High School and the University of Manitoba. Although he worked at various times as a photographer, mental-health worker, teacher, and jewelry-maker, his passion in life was writing.

He published several collections of poetry: Hoping for Angels (Turnstone Press, 1990), Falling in Place (Turnstone Press, 1993), The Bagman’s Sonata (Dog Ear Press, 1994), The Joy that Cracked the Mountain (The Muses’ Company, 1999), and Repertoire for Beggars (Blue Diamond Press, 2004).

In 1992, he received a John Hirsch Award for the Most Promising Manitoba Writer. He was well known for his achievements as a poet and was held in high regard in the arts community. He died in Winnipeg in 2005.