Michael “Mike” James O’Connor, 55, passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home while holding the hand of his beloved wife and best friend of 29 years, Nancy (Russell) O’Connor, and surrounded by his children and family on Wednesday, August 17, 2022. Mike fought glioblastoma with the same qualities with which he lived his life: strength and courage, honesty and integrity, positivity and hope, a quick wit and sense of humor, and deep vulnerability.
He will be profoundly missed and lovingly remembered by his wife and their children, Michael Jack O’Connor of Washington, D.C. and Emma Russell O’Connor of Sterling; his beautiful sister Susan M. O’Connor of Leominster; brother, Scott O’Connor of Worcester; sister Dianne O’Connor of Southbridge; brothers-in-law Mike Russell (Jen) of Spencer, Mark Russell (Betsy) of Clinton, and Matt Russell of Boston; nephews and nieces Michael, Brian, and Rick Mooney, Max and Hailey Chabonneau, Thomas, Mary, Matthew and Lauren Russell, and Caitlin O’Connor; and many uncles, aunts, cousins, and dear friends.
Mike was born in Newton and raised in Hudson, son of the late Virginia M. (Foisy) and Richard F. O’Connor. Mike was a 1984 graduate of Assabet Valley Regional High School with a focus in the culinary arts, sparking a lifelong joy of cooking for– and with– his family. Early in his career, Mike worked in the family excavating business, and later as a self-employed construction worker, where he gained the skills he would use to rebuild his family’s 1840s farmhouse in Sterling. He eventually earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Clark University in 1994 and a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Massachusetts Lowell in 1997.
Despite Mike’s skills as a contractor and builder, he realized after coaching his dear nephews in hockey that his true calling was as an educator. Mike became an adored third and fifth grade teacher in the Wayland Public Schools, where for 25 years, he “planted seeds”of knowledge, compassion, and kindness in the hearts and minds of his students and colleagues, while mixing in a healthy dose of play and humor in his lessons. His students have fond memories of his “Bubbleology” unit, of building wooden storage boxes for their personal possessions, and “Snowlympics” where the kids reveled in learning and playing in snow for the entire day.
Mike’s love of education and educators was not limited to his classroom community but extended to his colleagues and the greater school community. He was a member of the Wayland Teachers’ Association and was a contract negotiator for many years, as well as being a member of the Massachusetts Teachers’ Association. Committed to training the next generation of educators, Mike also mentored many student teachers in his classroom and taught education classes at Fitchburg State University.
On Mike’s list of favorite things there would be sunset/moonrise hikes at Wachusett Mountain, walking in the woods with his trusty sidekick Zuzu, cycling the hills of Central Massachusetts, reading a good book, challenging himself to learn something new, listening to his eclectic music playlist, enjoying ice cream, family game nights, and just about anything that could be shared with the people he loved.
Above all, Mike’s greatest and proudest accomplishment was building his family. He never hesitated to share a hug or tell them how much he loved them. Mike’s legacy will continue to grow in the multitude of seeds that he planted among all who were fortunate enough to have known him.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Mike’s family during calling hours on Friday, August 26, 2022, from 4:00–7:00 p.m. in the McNally & Watson Funeral Home, 304 Church St., Clinton. Masks are encouraged. A Celebration of Life will be held later, at a date and time to be announced on Mike’s CaringBridge website. Burial in Hillside Cemetery, Sterling, will be private. In lieu of flowers, the O’Connor Family suggests that memorial donations be made to the Michael J. O’Connor scholarship fund. Donations can be made online at the Wayland High School Scholarship Program or via check to: Wayland High School Scholarship Committee, P.O. Box 36, Wayland, MA 01778 Attn: Michael J. O'Connor Fund
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