MARBLEHEAD — John C. O’Connor, 63, beloved husband for 14 happy years of Leona A. (April) O’Connor of Marblehead , died Saturday, Aug. 11, 2007 in the E.N. Rogers Memorial Veteran’s Hospital, Bedford following a long, courageous battle with cancer.
Born in Lawrence, the son of the late Frank and Alice (Horgan) O’Connor, he was a 1963 graduate of Andover High School. While in high school, he was a member of the winter and spring track teams for two years, earning four letters and holding two school records, one of which lasted nearly 40 years. He was also a two-year member of the school’s varsity club. He then attended Milton College until joining the Army during the Vietnam War in September of 1965.
He was stationed overseas for 13 months in Korea and was the recipient of the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Medal and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign War Post 2128 in Andover where he held the post of Junior Vice Commander, Senior Vice Commander and for two years, Post Commander. He was also a member of the American Legion.
Following his discharge in September of 1968, Mr. O’Connor continued his education and received his associate degree from Northern Essex Community College in Haverhill and also attended Merrimack College. In 1973 Mr. O’Connor became employed by the Environmental Protection Agency in the Construction Grant Program and in 1974 received two awards for helping to disburse previously withheld PL 84-660 Limited Grant Federal Funds. In 1980 he was assigned to the Inspector General Office and in 1987 was again was recognized for his work and received the Office of Inspector General Award for his work on the U.S. Virgin Islands Special Review. In 1989 he returned to the Municipal Assistant State Revolving Fund until his retirement in 2004.
An avid sports fan, he coached in the Andover Junior Football League for 17 years as a head coach and had received an award in 1989 for his coaching. He had also enjoyed assisting in the officiating of the Andover Invitational Track Meet and the Phillips Andover High School track meets.
He was also a Boston College Sports fan and had contributed annually to the Boston College William J. Flynn Fund.
In addition to his wife, Mr. O’Connor is survived by a stepdaughter, Janet Ann Forman of Marblehead; and two beautiful grandchildren, Blake and Alexandra Forman of Marblehead; four sisters, Mary Sear, Jane Franz, Alice Josephs and Nancy Stolberg.
John O’Connor and I knew each other as kids long before High School. We played baseball together and slept outside in sleeping bags in my parent’s back yard.
We drifted apart in High School but I met John at one of the popular Sports Bars in Andover many years later during a business trip I made back to the Boston area. We had a great time and bought each other quite a few brews as we recalled old times.
"Carry" as everyone called him back in the "day" was the most honest truthful person you will ever find.
I remember John with a kind soul, an infectious laugh, and a quiet nature. I loved to go to the track meets, and remember him doing so well in a sport that he loved. His red hair could be seen from far down the hall, and as he passed, he always had a warm smile to make being late for class not so bad! You are sorely missed, John!
Dianne May (Stoehrer)
Taken from his obituary
MARBLEHEAD — John C. O’Connor, 63, beloved husband for 14 happy years of Leona A. (April) O’Connor of Marblehead , died Saturday, Aug. 11, 2007 in the E.N. Rogers Memorial Veteran’s Hospital, Bedford following a long, courageous battle with cancer.
Born in Lawrence, the son of the late Frank and Alice (Horgan) O’Connor, he was a 1963 graduate of Andover High School. While in high school, he was a member of the winter and spring track teams for two years, earning four letters and holding two school records, one of which lasted nearly 40 years. He was also a two-year member of the school’s varsity club. He then attended Milton College until joining the Army during the Vietnam War in September of 1965.
He was stationed overseas for 13 months in Korea and was the recipient of the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Medal and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign War Post 2128 in Andover where he held the post of Junior Vice Commander, Senior Vice Commander and for two years, Post Commander. He was also a member of the American Legion.
Following his discharge in September of 1968, Mr. O’Connor continued his education and received his associate degree from Northern Essex Community College in Haverhill and also attended Merrimack College. In 1973 Mr. O’Connor became employed by the Environmental Protection Agency in the Construction Grant Program and in 1974 received two awards for helping to disburse previously withheld PL 84-660 Limited Grant Federal Funds. In 1980 he was assigned to the Inspector General Office and in 1987 was again was recognized for his work and received the Office of Inspector General Award for his work on the U.S. Virgin Islands Special Review. In 1989 he returned to the Municipal Assistant State Revolving Fund until his retirement in 2004.
An avid sports fan, he coached in the Andover Junior Football League for 17 years as a head coach and had received an award in 1989 for his coaching. He had also enjoyed assisting in the officiating of the Andover Invitational Track Meet and the Phillips Andover High School track meets.
He was also a Boston College Sports fan and had contributed annually to the Boston College William J. Flynn Fund.
In addition to his wife, Mr. O’Connor is survived by a stepdaughter, Janet Ann Forman of Marblehead; and two beautiful grandchildren, Blake and Alexandra Forman of Marblehead; four sisters, Mary Sear, Jane Franz, Alice Josephs and Nancy Stolberg.
Ronald Keith
John O’Connor and I knew each other as kids long before High School. We played baseball together and slept outside in sleeping bags in my parent’s back yard.
We drifted apart in High School but I met John at one of the popular Sports Bars in Andover many years later during a business trip I made back to the Boston area. We had a great time and bought each other quite a few brews as we recalled old times.
"Carry" as everyone called him back in the "day" was the most honest truthful person you will ever find.
I was so sorry to learn of his passing.
Ron Keith
Cathy Wojtkun
I remember John with a kind soul, an infectious laugh, and a quiet nature. I loved to go to the track meets, and remember him doing so well in a sport that he loved. His red hair could be seen from far down the hall, and as he passed, he always had a warm smile to make being late for class not so bad! You are sorely missed, John!