Dennis J. O'Connor, Sr.

Dennis J. O’Connor, Sr.

Dennis J. O’Connor, Sr., 66, of New London, passed away peacefully surrounded by his wife, children, siblings, and close friends on June 29, 2024. He was born in New London in 1958, the son of Lt. John M. O’Connor and Florence (Pearson) O’Connor. 

He was a proud member of the St. Bernard’s Class of 1976 and true to his adventurous life, traveled the country the day after graduation.  He met his wife, Suzanne (Oliver) in 1982 and the two were literally inseparable from that moment on; they married in 1985.  

Dennis was a skilled painter and worked many years for Connecticut General Painting before starting his own painting contracting company, O’Connor Painting and Wallcovering.  He single-handedly taught scores of painters the art of the trade, including his favorite sister-in-law, Jane Oliver.  In 1993, he traded in his painter’s pants for khakis, and opened Mystic Paint and Decorating Center where he proudly sold his favorite brand of paint, Benjamin Moore; and kept an entire room full of wallpaper choices for his valued customers.  He was famous for his salutation, ‘You have a great rest of your day.’ He knew everybody by name; he was the true epitome of a people person.

He was a devoted family man and a man of the great outdoors.  Nothing brought him greater joy than his children, Heather O’Connor, Catherine O’Connor Dodge (Christopher Dodge) and Dennis O’Connor Jr. (Amanda O’Connor), and his seven grandchildren, Austin (O’Connor-Moon), Rahley and Josie (O’Connor) and Connor, Charlotte, Christian and Calvin (Dodge), a brother Daniel O'Connor (Therese) and a sister Janet Theiler (Michael).   Adventures, boating, biking, kayaking, skiing, fishing (salt, fresh, ice), snowmobiling, beaching, golfing, and hiking are what he was known for. At ‘The Maine House,’ he would often plan all of these for the same day. He shared his passion for fishing with all seven of his grandchildren, ensuring that, for generations to come, O’Connor’s will set the hook.  Another of his famous salutations — ‘Who loves ya?’ — was the tee-up to some of his grandchildren’s first words, “Grampy does.” 

Dennis had a special knack that allowed him to accomplish anything he put his mind to. To say he was a jack-of-all-trades would be a disservice; he was truly an expert-of-all-trades.  He managed the build of the family’s first home in Uncasville; and completely gutted and modernized The Maine House for his family to enjoy. During his tenure on the Whaling City Restoration Committee, of which he was a founding member, Dennis restored several City of New London landmarks including the Nathan Hale statue in Williams Park and the brick whale at the walk-in entrance of Ocean Beach Park. He loved nature and was known for his impressive green thumb. He was especially connected to his two puppies, Stitch and Rudy. His beloved dogs, Scout and Monroe, are among the many predeceased loved ones eager to welcome him Home.

Dennis had a lust for life, living every single minute with great enthusiasm. His optimism was infectious — he literally bought a new boat at the end of May and was catching fish last week. Dennis’ zest for life will continue to inspire his family for the rest of their lives.

Calling hours will be from 3 PM to 6 PM on Monday, July 8 at Byles Memorial Home , 99 Huntington Street, New London, CT 06320 . A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 AM on Tuesday, July 9 at St. Joseph Catholic Church ,149 Montauk Ave, New London, CT 06320. Burial will follow in Cedar Grove Cemetery, New London.  In lieu of flowers, please consider donating the Lt. John M. O’Connor Scholarship Fund, PO Box 969, New London, CT 06320  or the Montville Little League.