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ROBERT O'CONNOR Obituary
Monsignor Robert B., 85, beloved son of the late Bartholomew and Catherine, passed away peacefully April 20th. Msgr. O'Connor retired recently from Blessed Sacrament in Manhattan after 30 years as beloved pastor. Msgr. O'Connor is survived by his brothers John (Catherine) and William (Anne), as well as a large extended family. He was predeceased by his sister, Kathleen. Visitation will be Saturday, April 23rd, 2-4pm and 7-9pm at Frank E. Campbell Funeral Chapel, 81st St. and Madison Ave. Monsignor O'Connor will lie in state beginning at 3pm Sunday at Blessed Sacrament Church, 152 W. 71st St. A Parish Mass will be celebrated Sunday, April 24th at 5:30pm at Blessed Sacrament Church. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, April 25th at 10 am at Blessed Sacrament Church followed by Interment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Hawthorne, NY. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Catholic Relief Services or the charity of your choice.
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Silvana Mastandrea
March 7, 2022
Dr. O´Connor was there for me & anyone else that needed him. We worked together at the Women´s Shelter at Blessed Sacrament. I wish I had known if his death, I would have gone to the services. I´m crying. This man brought me back to God. Fr. O´Connor had a great sense of humor. I´m fortunate that my life´s journey crossed his path
Bob Wilson
September 10, 2018
I found out about Monsignor O'Connor's passing in April 2018 from my cousins. I immediately recalled a then Father O'Connor at St. Peter's Church in Yonkers in the 1960s. He was an inspiration to me and to the parishioners at that time.
I deeply regret that I did not get a chance to speak with him over the decades. Based on the comments by his parishioners at Blessed Sacrament, he lived a long life of faithful service.
Thank you, Monsignor O'Connor, for making this world a better place to live.
JOSEPH SINGLETON
June 26, 2018
He was my Father confessor for many years the only confessor I had. When I was with Father O'CONNER I felt I was with JESUS CHRIST, I will miss him so much!
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Marc Greenberg
November 11, 2016
Dear Father Bob. During these challenging times, the memory of your generous and loving spirit is a great comfort. All who had the joy of crossing your path are blessed. May your spirit watch over us and give us strength during the days, months and years ahead as the cries of those in need and suffering ascend to God for relief and solace.
Diane Lodise
November 10, 2016
I have just learned of Mgr.O'Connor's passing...what a lovely and special man he was and he is so missed at Blessed Sacrament Church....Rest in peach.
October 31, 2016
RIP, Robert O'Connor.
Susan Campochiaro-Confrey
September 18, 2016
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Teresa Bono
July 9, 2016
Father, you popped into my head today and I was looking online for your number...and instead I'm sitting here in disbelief that you're gone. I'm going to miss those late night chats when we'd crack each other up talking about the old days on 71st Street. But knowing that you and Donna DeSolis are reunited gives me peace. I'm sure she was thrilled to see her best friend again. Much love to you, Father O'Connor. Thank you for your friendship, love and support. You were top shelf.
Clare Joseph
June 10, 2016
I have just learned of the passing of Father Bob O'Connor, my first and much-loved pastor. Father, I remember so well the day you were installed as pastor at Blessed Sacrament, just a few months after I was received into the Catholic Church. It was such a blessed day ... you were such a blessing for us. You were always kind, always showed good humor, were always supportive, and after I left New York, always gave me a warm 'welcome home' when I was able to come back. Whenever I read the canticle from Daniel in the Sunday morning divine office and see the words 'Holy men of humble heart, bless the Lord', I think of you, because that's exactly what you are. You are humble, and you love the poor. It was a joy to have Mass with you. Thank you for everything you gave us, for so long. It's our loss and heaven's gain. Pray for us, and we will remember you into eternity. May you be greatly blessed forever.
Ingrid Leacock
June 7, 2016
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Newton Hasegawa
June 2, 2016
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Yvonne & Robert Cordero
May 25, 2016
Our thoughts and prayers are offered for the repose of Msgr. O'Connor. May his soul rest in the peace of Our Lord. What a treasure his family had in him and what a blessing we had as his parishioners/friends/family! He was very special to our family, especially to our Mom, Josephine Declet (RIP), who lived directly across from the Church. He would give her humorous verbal messages to share with his friend and former classmate, Msgr. Dermot Brennan, Pastor at Saint Patrick's Church in Yorktown Heights. That was the town where we lived in Westchester County. He performed the Marriage of our daughter and son-in- law, and subsequently, Christened her two beautiful children. He meant the world to our family and always will be remembered. May he rest in peace. Amen.
May 20, 2016
I had the privelege of meeting Father at a church member's dinner, and found him to be a great storyteller. He was very much at ease with people and of course, parishoners.
He made us feel at ease. A lovely man, a great priest.
Edna Vega
May 10, 2016
May God's peace be upon his family. He was truly a presence for God and a reflection of Gods love for us all! Fr. O'Connor was a light for me and so many at dark times. Thank you so much and God bless! You will be missed and always remembered and loved!
Michael Vian Clark
May 9, 2016
Condolences to the family, friends and parishioners of Mgr O'Connor. He was a very gracious host to me at Blessed Sacrament in 2012 and I remember his kindness with much affection. Requiem aeternam dona ei, Domine et lux perpetua luceat ei. Requiescat in pace.
Gil Clark Santos
May 8, 2016
I was saddened upon reading the St. Peter - Our Lady of the Rosary Weekly Bulletin about Monsignor O'Connor's passing. He is a holy, soft spoken man of God. My sincere and deepest condolence for his family. May he rest in peace!
Jacquleline Baligian
May 8, 2016
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Father O'Connor. He was a wonderful, gentle soul. I learned so much from him in my preparation for being confirmed. Rest in peace.
Joseph DiPalermo
May 2, 2016
I just learned of the passing of Monsignor Bob. This news levied a sadness on my heart. He married my wife and I and christened my three children. This is major loss for our church, our community and anyone who had the pleasure to know him. Rest in Peace
May 1, 2016
Our sincere and heartfelt condolences to the O'Connor family and all who were fortunate to know Fr. O'Connor and be in his care and guidance.
He was holy, humble and gracious with a subtle humor and practiced as he preached. True to his calling - peaceful, supportive, kind and forgiving - full of service - a priest forever.
May he rest in peace and rise in glory..
Barbara, Pat and Patrick
Michel Corbeil
April 30, 2016
Please accept my deepest sympathies.
Nancy Busher
April 29, 2016
He was a mentor for my family for over 50 years! He baptized my children. Gave them first communion,witnessed confirmation and married 2. He was the role model for my like as a Catholic Christian. I will miss him dearly! He and his family are in my prayers
Megan Busher Irwin
April 28, 2016
The world lost a great man. Our family priest. This sweet man baptized my sister, brother and my self. Confirmed my sister. He officiated both mine and my sister's weddings and he was also with us for my father's funeral. He was a great friend and spiritual leader to us but especially to my mother and father and he will be missed dearly.
Nancy Busher
April 28, 2016
He was my spiritual guide. He baptized my children, celebrated their 1st communions and married 2. He buried my husband. He was the epitome of what a pastor should be. I loved him dearly and will miss me very much, but am thankful for what for what he was given me to grow as a Catholic Christian.
Brenda OConnor
April 28, 2016
Thank you so much to all of you who took the time to offer your kind words. Father O'Connor was my Uncle Bob, and he was an amazing person with incredible gifts. He helped so many people in so many different ways. He was truly present for all of us when we needed him. We will all miss him dearly, but he will live forever in our hearts, and we know he will rest in peace now that he is with God.
Marc Greenberg
April 28, 2016
Father O'Connor was a very special man. His generosity and gentleness were deep and profound. Truly he was an example of what God is calling us to be. May his memory continue to inspire each of us to find favor in God's eyes. I will be eternally grateful for his friendship.
Michael DelNagro
April 26, 2016
Rest in Peace, Father O'Connor. You're kindness, warmth and humility inspires me every day.
Brett Mann
April 25, 2016
Heaven is a better place: my 2nd pastor (@ Holy Name) has arrived. Fr. O'Connor was my first boss. He was a mentor, a counselor, a friend. No kinder spirit, no gentler man.
Doris M
April 25, 2016
Dear Father O'Connor,
You helped me during the hardest time in my life. I called you for help and you gave me peace. Without any judgements, as I am sure you did for many others. You made a difference in my life and in the life of so many.
Thank you.
Maryann Kicinski
April 25, 2016
My family has been a part of Blessed Sacrament Church since the late 1960s. Having Fr. O'Connor assigned as our Pastor was truly a blessing for the Church, for me, my family, and for the Upper West Side. I always found his gentle nature to be truly reflective of Christ's values. Kindness is always needed and in these troubling times we could always count of Fr. O'Connor to give us reasons not to be disheartened. This was especially true the days immediately after 9/11.
He was especially comforting to my mother during her illnesses, visiting her in the hospitals and nursing homes, and always having a few uplifting words when she was able to attend his masses, Saturdays at 5:30.
I now live in Virginia, but whenever I returned to Blessed Sacrament he would always greet me with a welcome home. Well Fr. O'Connor, it's now your turn to hear the words welcome home from St. Peter! Rest in Peace, you are in my prayers and missed beyond measure. My condolences to his family and to all who share this loss.
Marc O'Sullivan
April 24, 2016
A True Role Model of what it is to be a Humble Pastor . As I quipped to him several times 'HH POPE FRANCIS reminds me of FR ROBERT O'CONOR !
Thank you for your recent show of solidarity to me after my recent & very traumatic eviction from my West 71st Street Apt. My Home since 1995.
As a Son of Irish Emigrants you personified the very best ideals & practices of that, remarkable , selfless,, hard working & Christian of generations of Irish immigrants. !
"At dheis De go raibh a hAnaim Usail"
Rest in Peace !
U deserve no less , though it may take a bit of ge used to !
God Bless You Fr Robert O'Connor RIP
Celia Feinberg
April 24, 2016
Father O'Connor,
You were a part of our family. We loved you dearly. You were such a great man. You will be missed.
With all of our love,
The Santana Family
James Denny
April 24, 2016
A most humble servant of God who never judged and welcomed all with an open heart. He helped me through the hardest time of my life and I'm much better off these days because of him. I've never met a better person and take comfort in knowing he walks with Christ now and will live on in each of us lucky to have called him a friend. God Bless You and Keep You Robert and thanks for being there for me
Donna Malin
April 24, 2016
Father O'Connor was a kind and compassionate priest. He was helpful to me in many ways which I deeply appreciated. He was an advocate for the homeless on the Upper West Side and beloved by many.
Lucie Pierre Paul
April 24, 2016
Thank for your spiritual paternal care. Worshiping at mass with you last December will be one of your precious gift. Pray for Holy Name of Jesus. You will always be in our prayers and in our hearts. May Jesus reward you for all of us. Requiescat in Pace.
April 24, 2016
He inspired me every Sunday for years---a priest who really understood his NYC congregation. What an honest, good- hearted man. I will remember him always with gratitude. He will be sorely missed, but I know he's where he wants to be now. Peg B
Jessica
April 24, 2016
Father O'Connor's genuine humility, humanity and strength brought me back to the church and carried me through many difficult times. He was a wonderful priest and a wonderful example, and he will be greatly missed.
Jose Alvar
April 24, 2016
May Almighty God give you a special place in Heaven to enjoy His presence in the company of the Saints & angels. Fr O'Connor baptized my grandson. Each of his Masses was true worship & each of his Sunday sermons was gentle, yet specific and challenging to each parishioner to apply Gospel values & principles to his daily living in the UWS.
Anne Born
April 23, 2016
Fr. O'Connor married my daughter, Grace and her husband, Ben, in January. We celebrated with him as we had so many of our family's sacramental events. First Communion, the Sacrament of Penance, Confirmations - and hundreds of Masses at Blessed Sacrament Parish. I was honored to have been a cantor and member of the guitar ensemble there as well as Sunday School teacher and choir member over the more than two decades we were members of the parish. And I volunteered over and over again - in any way I could to be of service to him and his mission at Blessed Sacrament. He made me feel like we were all equal in the eyes of God. Like so many votive candles.
He was to my children a grandfather and guide when they didn't even know they needed one. I learned more about my own faith with his simple, honest, respectful view of human nature and his reverence for family, for community, and for the Church. We are heartsick at his loss but assured he has been reborn into Divine Grace where the Blessed Mother will greet him. Much love to his family. We loved him so much.
Carol Blades
April 23, 2016
Father O'Connor baptized my son and my daughter -- many, many years ago when we were young congregants at Holy Name of Jesus. We're scattered geographically now, but when my daughter contacted him to see if he would baptize my beloved newborn granddaughter, he readily agreed -- and suggested we do it at Holy Name! I'm so grateful for the reunion last fall with the priest who so perfectly exemplified the compassion, joy, wisdom, and quiet humor that makes me ever hopeful that the Catholic Church really does care about ministering to all of us. May he rest in peace after a life so well spent and shared with so many.
MF XH
April 23, 2016
A kind and gentle genuine soul. An example of what a priest should be and reason for people to turn to them. The Church truly suffered a loss.
April 22, 2016
I credit Fr. O'Connor for bringing me back to the church. He was indeed my soul food and I will miss him dearly. Rest in peace.
Michelle (NYC)
Christine Kicinski
April 22, 2016
I suffer a deep and stunning loss at the passing of Fr. O'Connor. When I had lunch with him in December, I had no idea it would be our last. He was a great comfort to me and my family, especially to my late mother during her various hospitalizations. Fr. O'Connor was a compassionate and gentle man and an excellent preacher. I miss him and will keep him in my heart and in my prayers. My condolences to his family and to all who share this loss.
Margaret Parkes
April 22, 2016
God Bless you Monsignor, May you rest in peace and receive the eternal reward you so well deserve.
M Gibbons
April 22, 2016
I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our Msgr O'Connor. He was a truly special man - humble, kind, gentle, wise, generous. I will always remember his beautiful, conversational sermons that taught me so much. Such a loss. He will be greatly missed by so many. May he rest in beautiful peace.
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