John O'Connor

John "Jack" O'Connor
John "Jack" O'Connor, loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather passed away in his Palos Verdes Estates home on March 7th, 2014. Jack was born in Denver, Colorado on January 31st, 1923 to John and Ramoncita O'Connor. He grew up in Redondo Beach and attended Redondo Union High School. He studied at Long Beach City College before joining the Navy in 1943. He served in the Pacific during WWII in Iwo Jima and Okinawa aboard the USS Sandoval. At the end of the war, Jack returned to college and received his degree from USC. He later served aboard the USS Alshain in the Korean War. In 1951, he married his loving wife Demarious and transferred to the East Coast with the Navy. In 1953, they moved back to Southern California and settled in Palos Verdes Estates. He retired from the Navy with the rank of Lieutenant Commander. Jack worked at Northrop Corporation and retired in 1990 with 37 years of service. He enjoyed spending time with his many friends and playing golf at Rolling Hills Country Club. Jack is preceded in death by his wife, Demarious and his sister, Patricia. He is survived by his six children (and their spouses): Thomas O'Neil, Michael O'Neil (Joan), Stephen O'Neil (Julia), Jack O'Neil (Carol), Molly O'Neil Ficarra (Ed), and Dan O'Connor (Barbara). He was a proud and loving grandfather to twelve grandchildren: Mikael, Tim, Brian, Deanna, Laura, Daniel O'Neil, Rhondee, Alysha, Daniel Ficarra, Gina, Addison and Katie. He was also a great-grandfather of eight great-grandchildren: Demarious, Delanie, Sydney, Zoe, Samara, Alec, Aidan, and Nils. Per Jack's request, he will be buried at sea by the United States Navy. If you would like to donate on Jack's behalf, the Peninsula Friends of the Palos Verdes Library (www.pvldfriends.org) is one of his favorite charities. Please sign the guestbook at www.dailybreeze.com/obits.