Obituary for Edwin James "Terry" O'Connor Jr.
Edwin James O’Connor, Jr., known as “Terry”, beloved husband of Mary Lou (Dempsey) O’Connor, departed this life on January 24, 2019 surrounded by his devoted family. Terry was born on November 21, 1940, in Malden, MA, to the late Margaret (Donovan) and Edwin James O’Connor, Sr. He was predeceased by his sister Kathleen M. O’Connor.
Terry moved to Connecticut at the age of 12.He was a 1958 graduate of East Hartford High School and a 1962 graduate of University of Connecticut with a BA in History and Political Science. He was a member of Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity. Following college, he served in the U.S. Army for two years, stationed in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Terry had a successful 22-year career at Aetna Life & Casualty, followed by a second career of 18 years with the Connecticut Department of Social Services.
Terry is lovingly remembered for his passionate interest in trains; he spent countless hours in regional rail yards photographing trains. He was an avid reader with a wide range of interests, a witty storyteller, a scholar of Middle Earth, and was knowledgeable and conversant in virtually any subject. Terry enjoyed preparing “garlic pasta”, growing roses, following UCONN Women’s basketball, and college football.
Terry loved spending time in Eastham, MA on the outer cape over many decades, where he enjoyed nature walks and exploring the beauty of the area with his family. His recent interests included watching NCIS and old Westerns, closely following current events, and participating in Powerful Aging at UConn Health. He was dedicated to his family, especially to the care and planning for his daughter with special needs.
Terry is survived by Mary Lou, his wife of 53 years; his son Sean O’Connor and his wife Melissa Wilson of West Hartford; his daughter Ann Margaret O’Connor of West Hartford; his daughter Deirdre O’Connor and her husband Colin Otis of Brooklyn, NY; and his grandchildren Erin and Ryan O’Connor of West Hartford.
The family extends their gratitude to the kind staff of the St. Francis Hospital ICU and Pastoral Care.
Calling hours will be held on Friday, February 1, 2019 from 4-7 pm at Sheehan-Hilborn-Breen Funeral Home, 1084 New Britain Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06110.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, February 2, 2019 at 10:00 AM at St. Thomas The Apostle Church, 872 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06107. Burial will be private.
Donations in memory of Terry can be made to:Harc,900 Asylum Avenue, Hartford, CT06105,an organization supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Online condolences may be made at www.SheehanHilbornBreen.com
Terry moved to Connecticut at the age of 12.He was a 1958 graduate of East Hartford High School and a 1962 graduate of University of Connecticut with a BA in History and Political Science. He was a member of Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity. Following college, he served in the U.S. Army for two years, stationed in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Terry had a successful 22-year career at Aetna Life & Casualty, followed by a second career of 18 years with the Connecticut Department of Social Services.
Terry is lovingly remembered for his passionate interest in trains; he spent countless hours in regional rail yards photographing trains. He was an avid reader with a wide range of interests, a witty storyteller, a scholar of Middle Earth, and was knowledgeable and conversant in virtually any subject. Terry enjoyed preparing “garlic pasta”, growing roses, following UCONN Women’s basketball, and college football.
Terry loved spending time in Eastham, MA on the outer cape over many decades, where he enjoyed nature walks and exploring the beauty of the area with his family. His recent interests included watching NCIS and old Westerns, closely following current events, and participating in Powerful Aging at UConn Health. He was dedicated to his family, especially to the care and planning for his daughter with special needs.
Terry is survived by Mary Lou, his wife of 53 years; his son Sean O’Connor and his wife Melissa Wilson of West Hartford; his daughter Ann Margaret O’Connor of West Hartford; his daughter Deirdre O’Connor and her husband Colin Otis of Brooklyn, NY; and his grandchildren Erin and Ryan O’Connor of West Hartford.
The family extends their gratitude to the kind staff of the St. Francis Hospital ICU and Pastoral Care.
Calling hours will be held on Friday, February 1, 2019 from 4-7 pm at Sheehan-Hilborn-Breen Funeral Home, 1084 New Britain Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06110.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, February 2, 2019 at 10:00 AM at St. Thomas The Apostle Church, 872 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06107. Burial will be private.
Donations in memory of Terry can be made to:Harc,900 Asylum Avenue, Hartford, CT06105,an organization supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Online condolences may be made at www.SheehanHilbornBreen.com