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Michael O'Connor Obituary
Mike's incredible life adventure began on Oct. 15, 1952, in Japan, where he was born to Edmund and Rita O'Connor. He graduated in 1975 from Ohio State University with a degree in civil engineering. From there, Mike went to the great state of Alaska, where he worked on the trans-Alaska pipeline and then at Price/CIRI Construction until the formation of Peak in 1987. From 1987 until his retirement in 2014, Mike was President and CEO of Peak Oilfield Service Company where, together with his employees, he built Peak from its humble beginnings to a premier service contractor.
Mike loved Alaska and helped make Anchorage a better community with his many civic contributions, including Director and Fundraising Chair of Special Olympics World Winter Games 2001; member of Commonwealth North; Cabinet Member for the United Way of Anchorage; former member of the Long Range Financial Planning Commission; former President of the Board of Directors of the Petroleum Club of Anchorage; former President of the Board of Directors of Alaska Special Olympics; former Board Member of the Resource Development Council; Commissioner Workers' Compensation Board State of Alaska; Board of Directors Anchorage Park Foundation; Capital Campaign Committee Blood Bank of Alaska; recipient of Lost Lake Run Marsha Vincent Award; Co-Founder and Treasurer of the Scotty Gomez Foundation; and original organizer of the 35 year Charity Ciri Golf Classic. In both his professional and personal life, Mike was a champion for a number of charitable causes.
Mike enjoyed the great outdoors, golfing, traveling, time spent with his many valued friends and family and had an innate ability to draw people in with his charismatic smile and larger than life personality. He will be remembered as a devoted husband, someone who cared deeply for his family and his employees, and a tremendous leader and mentor who connected effortlessly with people. Mike unselfishly shared his kind and generous heart with friends and strangers alike.
Mike is survived by his wife, Shawn; brothers, Bill of San Diego, Calif., and Terry of McLean, Va.; sister, Patsy (Fred) Gahr of Kansas City, M.; sister-in-law, Peggy (Bob) Walls of Albuquerque, N.M.; brother-in-law, Russ Moore of Fremont, Neb.; and sister-in-law, Pam (Merle) Goswick of Fremont, Neb.; as well as many nieces and nephews. Mike was preceded in death by his parents; and his sister-in-law, Mary Ann O'Connor.
Mike never let cancer stop him from living life to the fullest. He was one of a kind and we were all so blessed to have had him in our lives.
Funeral Mass will be held at St. Patrick's Parrish in Anchorage on Monday, Feb. 25, 2019, at 1 p.m., with a Celebration of Life to follow at the Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage.
Memorial donations may be made to the Scotty Gomez Foundation, P.O. Box 111294, Anchorage, AK 99511.
To plant trees in memory, please visit theĀ Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Michael O'Connor
Bill Cheek
April 6, 2019
Just learned of Mike's passing. Although it has been a long time, many found memories are still fresh...great guy. Prayers to family.
McNaughton
March 28, 2019
John and I were shocked and saddened to hear of Mikes passing. Thinking of him makes us smile. Our love to Shawn.
John and Pam McNaughton
Judy Bandel
February 26, 2019
Shawn, My heart goes out to you. Yesterday was a great tribute to see and hear all the people he touched during his life. I'm sorry I missed giving you a hug and telling you personally. Judy
Lisa Anderson
February 25, 2019
RIP old friend. Devastated to hear that your gone. Many fond memories go way back to the old Petroleum club days! You always knew how to make a person smile and had a great attitude about everything. You were always a big help to me! Rest my friend and I'll see you one day.
Laurie Leibole
February 25, 2019
Shawn, we are so sorry and saddened to hear of Mike's passing. He was taken way too soon. May the love of friends and family carry you through this difficult time. Lance and Laurie Leibole
Allan Johnston
February 24, 2019
Mike was a great business partner to me and mentor to my son, Lauchie. He will be missed by a lot of folks. Thank you Mike for being such a good friend to me and my family.
DaRae Crews
February 23, 2019
God bless michael's soul and may God Bless you too, Shawn. It was alway a pleasure barbering Mike's hair- many funny conversationsā£Mike made a difference in so many people's lives and organizations, including mine, I ā¤loved and respected him. Cheers to you, mike O'conner and your loving memory
Dick Trudell
February 18, 2019
Mike & I shared engineering duties at Livengood Camp during the TAPS construction project. We remained friends and crossed paths many times in the years following. He was a great guy to be around and I will miss him. Fay and I send our deepest condolences to Shawn.
February 14, 2019
Sorry for your loss. May the God of all comfort care for your hearts during this time of mourning. He will comfort you and he will make you strong ~
2 Thessalonians 2:16,17.
Teresa Chenault-Hughes
February 14, 2019
Shawn, I'm very sorry to hear about Mike. Please know you're in my thoughts and prayers.
Don Wester
February 13, 2019
Our deepest condolences to Shawn and family on Mike's passing
Remember all he did for me and miss him for the lunches for Oil Field trash club.
M C
February 13, 2019
I am truly deeply sorry for your loss. My warmest condolences go out to the family and friends of Michael. May the God of all Comport Grant you peace and strength during difficult time (psalm 91:1).
February 13, 2019
Prayers to you Shawn and all of you family. Mike was a wonderful man and will be missed by so many. Jody and Mike Colombie
February 13, 2019
Please accept our condolences on the loss of your loved one. May you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends. Luke 14:14*
MM
February 13, 2019
Deepest condolences to the family and friends during this most difficult time. There are no words that can ease the pain of losing a beloved one. May you find comfort and peace in knowing that your loved one is in God's memory. Psalms 116: 15
February 12, 2019
Shawn, we send you our love and condolences. Mike was a wonderful person with a true gift for living life to the fullest. Take comfort in his love for you and in the friends and family you shared. Ann and Bob Bates
Jen & Craig Briske
February 12, 2019
Love and prayers Shawn to you and all of Mike's family...
Craig and I were so sad to hear of Mike's passing, we have such wonderful memories of visiting with him over the years and his smile and laughter could light up the room and the airplane !! The word "Darlin" and his kind heart for all will not ever be forgotten. He loved you so and we will be thinking of your family not only now but in the days to come. I am positive that Rosey and Mike are watching over us all...XO
Love u Jen & Craig Briske
Kirk Zerkel
February 12, 2019
Very sorry to learn of your loss Shawn, and our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Mike was a driving force to all those around him, and a great Alaskan. I always appreciated his friendship and admired his giving nature. He will be greatly missed by many.
Marty Weeks
February 11, 2019
Shawn. My heart goes out to you. I know how devastated you are. Time is our only friend and time heals us but we shall never forget our loved one. God bless you.
February 11, 2019
Shocked and saddened of this news of Mike's passing. Prayers from Texas to Family O'Connor. S&DJ
Nancy Joseph
February 11, 2019
Shawn and family, My deepest sympathies to all of you. We will miss Mike's presence, his smile, and his kind nature. He made the lives of many a little easier and a bit better because he cared, and because of his life with you. His friendship will always remain in the hearts of his close friends. Through his acts of genuine compassion, so many people will feel the impacts of his charitable work with organizations in the Anchorage community. May you find comfort with family and friends during this time.
F&D
February 11, 2019
Our sincere condolences to the family. May you find comfort in knowing that God collects our tears and is close to the brokenhearted ready to comfort us in our moment of need. - Psalm 56:8
LIBBY SMITH
February 9, 2019
May sincere condolences go to the family of Michael Ryan O"Connor. May your family have peace during your time of grief . Losing a loved one is never easy but there is hope John 6:40
February 9, 2019
Please find strength and peace in the hope of 1 Corinthians 13:14 Soon there will be a future without death.
February 9, 2019
Please accept our deepest sympathies on the loss of your loved one.We pray that you all take comfort in God's promises at John 6:40 Robinson family
February 9, 2019
My deepest condolences to your family. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
SAS
February 9, 2019
Sincere condolences to the family of Michael. May Gods loving kindness comfort the family and give them peace.(1Cor.1:3)
February 9, 2019
Losing a loved one is never easy. But our God promises to give the strenghth and courage you'll need to endure, and to cope with the pain of your loss. He also promises to hold your hand every step of the way.
Isaiah 40:29, 41:10,13
Earnie Ray
February 9, 2019
My condolences to the family . May you find comfort in your treasured memories and Gods promise to return your loved ones who passed away in death . 1 Thessalonians 4 : 13 , 14
Y S
February 9, 2019
During this most difficult time my heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family. As you reflect on the memories of your beloved one may you find comfort and peace. I hope the promise from God in 1Thessalonians 4:14 can bring comfort Knowing that there's a hope for the ones we have lost in death can be so reassuring.
Y S
February 9, 2019
During this most difficult time my heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family. As you reflect on the memories of your beloved one may you find comfort and peace. I hope the promise from God in 1Thessalonians 4:14 can bring comfort Knowing that there's a hope for the ones we have lost in death can be so reassuring.
M C
February 9, 2019
Please accept my sincere condolences.You are not alone during this time of sorrow and pain. May God give your family strength and comfort to help you endure this loss. As you remember your beloved one, the God of peace give you comfort and peace in every way. May you find Strength from the love and care that surrounds you and comfort in the memories that you share. 2 Thessalonians 3:16 .
February 9, 2019
I am extending my sincere sympathy to you for the loss of your loved one . I hope that you can find the comfort you need to sustain you during this very difficult time .
D S
February 9, 2019
During this time of grief and sorrow, know that you are not alone. May God give your family and friends strength to help you endure this great loss. As you remember your beloved Michael, may the peace of God bring you comfort, today , tomorrow and always.-2nd Thessalonians 3:16
February 9, 2019
I sympathize with you for the loss may God comfort you and give you strength to cope with the loss. Isaiah 51:12
February 9, 2019
My condolences to the family. May you find comfort in your treasured memories and gods promises to return your loved ones who passed away in death. 1thessalonians 4:13,14
RK
February 9, 2019
Please accept my dearest and heartfelt sympathy; I am so sorry for your loss. May the God who "binds up the brokenhearted" and "comforts all who mourn" sustain your family during this difficult time. Isaiah 61:1,2
February 9, 2019
May you all have the strength you need at this time of sorrow, Phillipians 4:13.- Philadelphia.
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