Photo courtesy of O'Brien Family Funeral Home & Cremation Services - South Hadley
South Hadley, Massachusetts
Mar 12, 1942 – Apr 30, 2024
Raymond N. O’Connor, 82, died Tuesday April 30th at the Soldier’s Home in Holyoke. He was born in Holyoke, son of the late Edward and Helen O’Connor and lived most of his life in South Hadley. He retired in 2001 as Superintendent of Water District #1 in South Hadley. He was an Army veteran and loved boating, fishing and hunting. He leaves his wife Christine (Ahern) O’Connor, a son Matthew O’Connor and his wife Meghan of South Hadley, his sister Arline (O’Connor) Laporte and her husband Michael of South Hadley, his niece and godchild Nicole Laporte Murdoch White of Wilbraham, three grandchildren Riley, Piper and Finn, his former wife Patricia (Bourque) O’Connor of South Hadley, his brothers-in-law Jeffrey Ahern and his wife Brenda and Francis Ahern and his wife Lisa and his best friends Tucker and Pumpkin. Raymond was predeceased by a son Christopher, a niece Michelle Laporte Holden and his brother-in-law Robert Ahern. Calling hours at the O’Brien Family Funeral Home, 33 Lamb St., S. Hadley are Sunday May 5th from 2:00 to 5:00 pm. Friends and family may meet Monday May 6th at 11:00 am in St. Patrick’s Church for the funeral Mass. Burial is at the convenience of the family. Contributions can be made to the Veteran’s Home in Holyoke, 110 Cherry St., Holyoke, MA 01040, to the Dana Farber Institute or to the charity of one’s choice. The family would like to thank the nurses and staff of 4 West and 2 North of the Holyoke Veteran’s Home for their exemplary care, compassion and kindness of “Oiy/Oiy”/ “Papa” during his time there. For more information or to make online condolences please go to obrienfamilyfh.com.
Read MoreSorry to read this. Ray was a great close friend. A Woodland guy. Condolences to family. God´s love, mercy and Grace.
Ken Harper
May 30, 2024 | Friend
My condolences to your family and friends. We have lost a good man who will be missed by many. Janet Stache
Janet R Stache
May 10, 2024 | Other
Oh my Dear Christine and Arline and families,
I am sadden turn learn of Ray's passing. My prayers and thoughts are with you all during this time of loss. My God be holding him lovingly in the palm of his hand.
Love, Kim Manning
Kim Manning
May 07, 2024 | Springfield, MA | Family
Matthew. Sorry for your loss. The AOH & LAOH will be praying for you & your family.
AOH & LAOH
May 07, 2024
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Jean Walachy
May 06, 2024 | Work
I was very saddened to hear of the passing of an Aemy buddy. We served together in a small radar unit on the small island of Okinawa. Ray was a pleasure to serve with and was a great example for the many younger troops that were with us. We became quite close over a year and a half of shared duty time. My regret is that we didn't find Ray, through the internet, until he was ill. I hope that some of the photos we sent brought him a glimmer of happiness. Now there are two. Lee Ekblad
Leroy Ekblad
May 05, 2024 | Other
Dear Chris- My deepest sympathy goes out to you at this difficult time. May happy memories of your husband and family be your strong hold. Mr O´Connor! "Gone, but won´t be forgotten"! Chris, I hold you close in my prayers and thoughts and l´m deeply sorry for your profound loss. Jazzy.
Jazzy
May 04, 2024 | Work
My name is Emmanuel Santos, I was known as Manny. Ray and I served in the army and Okinawa for about 18 months together. Ray, myself, and Leroy Ekblad we´re at threesome. We hung out together most of the time and we always referred to Ray as the old man because he was several years older than us. We enjoyed his company, we enjoyed his humor and we admire the fact that he was so loving about his family back home, which he spoke about often. I have many, many pictures and memories of the good...
Manny Santos
May 03, 2024 | Friend
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
William Ryder
May 03, 2024 | Friend
