Mark J. O’Connor, 65, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, August 18, 2022 in Baystate Medical Center after battling cancer for many months. Born in Davenport, Iowa, son of the late Dr. James T. and Nance (Grandchamp) O’Connor, he was a lifelong resident of West Springfield and a 1975 graduate of West Springfield High School. He also attended Westfield State University. Mark worked as a Senior Underwriter for IBU, Inc. based in Hartford for the last eight years. Previously he worked for twenty-three years for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company. He was an avid sports enthusiast, enjoying racquetball, golf and baseball to name a few. Mark formerly coached many of his daughter's youth soccer, softball and basketball teams in West Springfield, and was a longtime member of the Dante Club and Safari Golf Club. He leaves his wife of thirty-six years, Kathleen (Kennedy) O’Connor, and his daughter, Shannon E. O’Connor of West Springfield. He also leaves his sister, Susan M. (Theodore “TJ” Wojnar) of Dallas, TX and four brothers, Dennis E. (Deborah) O’Connor of Marblehead, MA, James M. (Lynne) O’Connor of Cape Elizabeth, ME, David M. (Karen) O’Connor of Southwick, MA, Michael S. (June) O’Connor of East Lyme, CT, his aunt Jean Healy of Southampton, MA, several nieces and nephews, and his faithful dog, Rory. He was a friend of everyone he met and so loved by all of his friends and family, always putting the needs of others before his own. He was the most kind, generous and helpful husband, father, brother and friend, always willing to be there for others when needed. He had a great sense of humor and relentlessly positive attitude that will always be cherished. Calling hours are Tuesday (8/23) from 4-7pm at Curran Jones Funeral Home, 109 Main Street, West Springfield. The funeral will be Wednesday (8/24) at 9am from Curran Jones, with a Mass in St. Thomas the Apostle Church at 10am and burial following in St. Thomas Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Mark to Baystate Hospice online at https://www.baystatehealth.org/giving (direct to Baystate Home Health- Hospice) or checks mailed to Baystate Health Foundation, Directed to Home Health- Hospice, 280 Chestnut St. Springfield, MA 01199. Donations can be also made to the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center online at https://giving.massgeneral.org/where-to-give/cancer-center/ . Checks payable to MassGeneral can be made: Cancer Center in memory of Mark O’Connor, ℅ MGH Development Office, 125 Nashua St. Suite 540, Boston MA 02114-1101. For online condolences, please visit www.curranjones.com.
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