John L. O’Connor (1941- 2012)

On May 20, passed away peacefully with his beloved wife by his side, John Linus O’Connor, formerly of New York City. He leaves to mourn his wife Lynn (Walker) O’Connor, his daughters Leslie and Kelly (Mike) Belanger, his sisters Peggy (the late Johnny) McKiernan of Bronx, NY, and Patsy (the late A.J.) Riordan of Neptune, NJ. Also left to miss their Poppa are twins Hudson and Molly Belanger, who added so much to John’s later life. In addition to his immediate family, John will be mourned by his father-in-law Don (Florine) Walker, sister-in-law Sharon (Ron) Gautreau, and brother-in-law Gary (Heather) Walker, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews.

John was predeceased by his parents, John and Margaret (Munnelly) O’Connor of New York City. John was proud of his Irish roots, as well as he might be; his father, John, was born in County Sligo and his mother, Margaret, moved from Scotland to County Mayo, Ireland, as a child. Both parents emigrated to America early in the last century, met, and married in New York’s strong Irish-American community.

John was educated in New York, then served in the American Armed Forces as a Paratrooper in the 82 Airborne Division. He was stationed in Panama from 1960-1963, and the following autumn saw him enroll in the Business Administration program at Saint Dunstan’s University in Prince Edward Island, Canada. John was a strong student and a well-liked classmate. His hi-jinks are the stuff of legend.

John met his future wife Lynn (Walker) at Saint Dunstan’s; they were to be married for 47 years. John was involved in many student activities at university, frequently as business manager. His business background was the cornerstone of his life’s work. He was made an “honorary graduate” of the class of 1967, although he graduated from Saint Dunstan’s in 1968.

True to his Irish roots, John was a hospitable host; friends and family alike were always welcomed to the O’Connor home, and John never forgot a true friend.

An organ donor, John arranged to donate his body to the University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine - as a result, there will be no funeral. A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held at a later date in the New York City area, as well as one with Canadian family and friends in the Maritime Provinces.

John’s family would like to offer thanks to all the staff of the Community Care Access Centre, who made it possible for him to stay home as long as possible, and of the Palliative Care Centre of the Élisabeth Bruyère Hospital, who were wonderful and made his last days comfortable and peaceful.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in John’s name to the Palliative Care Centre of the Élisabeth Bruyère Hospital, c/o Bruyère Foundation, 43 Bruyère Street, Ottawa, ON K1N 5C8. Mailable donation forms may be downloaded from, and electronic donations made at, http://www.bruyere.org/en/donation-programs.

“Be not burdened with tears of sorrow,
Enjoy the sunshine of the morrow.”

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