Edward J. O'Connor

Edward J. O'Connor, 84, died on his birthday, January 18, 2016 at Ellis Hospital. Ed was born in Schenectady to Francis and Anna Finn O'Connor. He was a graduate of the former St. Joseph's Academy and served in the U.S. Marine Corps in Korea as a sergeant from 1951 to 1952. Ed was the founder of Mohawk Ambulance which he started in 1966. After he was discharged from the Marine Corps in 1952 he was employed at the General Electric Company as a steamfitter. In 1955 he was appointed to the Schenectady Police Department and retired in 1975 as an investigator in the detective division. In 1972 Ed was chosen as police officer of the year. Subsequently, he was employed by Ellis Hospital as chief of security. In 1978 he started O'Connor's Driving School. Ed was the Rotterdam Town Justice from 1978 to 1989. He was the past president of the Albany - Schenectady Magistrate Association. Ed was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 1895, a member of the Knights of St. John, the Rotterdam Elks, Schenectady P.B.A, Police Conference of NY, past president of the Pine Grove Fire Department and a communicant of the former Immaculate Conception Church in Schenectady. Ed was predeceased by his wife, Patricia Wasldorf O'Connor, who died in 2011; and six siblings, Mary John, Aileen McGarry, Constance Ward, John E. O'Connor, William O'Connor and Carmel O'Connor. He is survived by three children, Theresa (Robert) Meers of Rotterdam, Edward O'Connor of Rotterdam and Catherine (Pam) O'Connor of Tomb Stone, AZ; three siblings, Dolores Connelly of Fayetteville, NY, Helen Summers of Rotterdam and Francis (Cathy) O'Connor of Rotterdam; four grandchildren, Casey (Jennifer) O'Connor, Megan Capeless, Michaela and Kaelan Meers; and sister-in-law, Florence O'Connor of Niskayuna. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Mass of Christian Burial which will be celebrated Friday at 11 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist church. There will be no calling hours. Burial with military honors will be in Schenectady Memorial Park in Rotterdam. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one's choice. Ed's family wishes to thank the staff at Capital Living Nursing Center, Maple Wing, especially, Dori and the staff on C1 at Ellis Hospital.