James A. O'Connor, 87, of Bradenton, FL and Danielson, CT died on December 6, 2025 at HCA Florida Largo Hospital in Largo. He was born in Danielson, CT, July 13, 1938, son of the late Yvonne (Vanasse) O'Connor and James O'Connor. He is survived by his five children, Jennifer O'Connor and wife Amy Bezunartea of Nyack, NY, David O'Connor and partner Adam Mann of Tampa, FL, Christine Mailhot and husband Paul, Mary Frechette, and Ken O'Connor and wife Jessica (all of Connecticut). He is also survived by three sisters, Nola Hoss, Debra Larkin and Cassandra O'Connor (all of Connecticut); as well as many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife Eileen O'Connor, his brother, Martin O'Connor, his sisters Kathleen Peralta, Patricia Woodworth and Marilyn Crocker, and his daughter Marilyn J. O'Connor.
Jim graduated from Killingly High School in 1956. He served in the US Marine Corp from 1956-1958 and received a BA from Willimantic State College in 1966. He loved sports and was a star football player in high school and college. Jim began his long and storied real estate career in Connecticut in the late 1960s. In 1974, he was elected state representative in the 50th Assembly District of Connecticut as a Democrat. Jim relocated to Florida with his family in 1987, where he adapted his real estate business to focus primarily on mobile home sales. He loved his work and he loved helping others (they were one and the same to him), and he was a leader in the Bradenton real estate community for almost 40 years.
Jim's superpower was his kindness and his favorite pastime was telling stories that blended his unique sense of humor with a sharp wit, and the brightest, most beautiful heart.
Two Celebrations of Life will be held at dates TBD in 2026 in Bradenton, FL and in Danielson, CT, When dates have been finalized, they will be posted here on this page.
To order
memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James Alan OConnor, please visit our
flower store.