Joseph Thomas O’Connor of Wilsonville passed away in Portland on Sept. 5, 2012. He was 78 years old. Joe was born to Joseph Patrick and Anna May (Kelly) O’Connor on May 14, 1934 in Hartford, Conn. Joe graduated from Hall High School in 1952 and from the Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina, in June 1956. He married Joan Dolores Keyes in August 1956. Joe served as a United States Air Force Captain stationed in Alaska from 1957 to 1959 and then served in the active reserves through 1963. After being discharged from the Air Force, Joe joined American Coal, which later became Automatic Comfort, Hartford’s largest heating oil business, eventually rising to be the firm’s general manager. Joe was an active member of the Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus, both in Canton, Conn. and Canby. Joe and Joan raised their family in Canton, Conn., where Joe served as president of the Jaycees and the Lions Club. He also served as Republican Town Chairman, as a Selectman and a Police Commissioner. Joe was a Cubmaster, Boy Scout Leader, 4-H Leader, Little League Baseball coach and a founding member of the Avon-Canton youth hockey association. Joe is survived by his wife, Joan; his five children, Allan, Carol Lee, John, Michael and Thomas; and his five grandchildren. The family suggests that donations be made to the St. Patrick, St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank in lieu of flowers. Donations may be sent to St. Patrick’s Church, PO Box 730, Canby, OR 97013. Relatives and friends are invited to a celebration of Joe’s life on Thursday, Sept. 13, in the 3rd Floor Activity Room of Spring Ridge Court, 32100 SW French Prairie Rd., Wilsonville, 2-4 p.m. A memorial Mass for Joe will be held at St Patrick’s Church, 488 NW 9th Avenue, Canby, OR, at 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 14, followed by a luncheon at the church. Tags: 1956
Posted in:
Posted on:
Link to original obituary: