Former Fogcutter restaurant owner Jeremiah “Jerry” Patrick O’Connor passed away at age 87, on April 23, 2020, at Kingston Residence in Perrysburg, Ohio. Jerry had been living at home in Perrysburg with his wife Mary Anne as his primary caregiver until Mary Anne died on March 25, 2020.
Jerry graduated from MSU with a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality and Restaurant Management. His restaurant management career included managing the Harrington Hotel food service operations. Jerry then realized his lifelong dream and opened The Fogcutter restaurant in 1969. He operated it for over 33 years.
The Fogcutter restaurant was an iconic place, with a stunning top floor location in the Peoples Bank building in downtown Port Huron overlooking the St. Clair River and the beautiful Blue Water Bridge. It was a large restaurant operation, with two full kitchens, and seating for over 350 people, including the banquet rooms. Many will remember the Fogcutter salad and dressing, the Maurice salad, Hot Brown sandwich, Almond Fried Shrimp, Lake Huron perch and walleye, exceptional prime rib on the weekends, and the famous Mile High Fogcutter Pie for dessert.
Cathy Martinek, Account Executive for WGRT, knew him well and remembers Jerry as a gentle giant. Cathy said, “He was a great restaurant owner, compassionate and helpful to his employees….gentleman first class to his restaurant guests, kind and generous to his community. He will be missed.”
Reporting for WGRT – Marty Doorn
