J. Norman O'Connor

J. Norman O’Connor

ADAMS -- A Liturgy of Christian Burial for J. Norman O’Connor, 83, of Adams and Naples, Fla., was celebrated Saturday, Nov. 18, at noon, in St. Thomas Aquinas Church with the Rev. Daniel J. Boyle, pastor of the Catholic Parishes of Adams, officiating.
Fred Rynkowski and Dominick Papas Jr. were the acolytes. The lectors were John I. Curtin, longtime friend and law partner; Brian Burgess and Kathryn Lang, grandchildren; and Jane Mitchell, daughter. The offertory gifts were brought to the altar by Grace and Elizabeth O’Connor, Caleb Mitchell and Olivia Welch, grandchildren. Reflections on Mr. O’Connor’s life were offered by Liz O’Connor, daughter; Courtney O’Connor, granddaughter; and Conor Welch, grandson.
Jeffrey Hunt, organist, accompanied the Community Choir of the Parishes. Will O’Connor, grandson, played a musical selection on his cello.
Burial followed in Bellevue Cemetery, where members of Adams Post 160 American Legion accorded military honors. The memorial prayer and resolution were read by Ralph Schwarzer. The firing squad was staffed by Francis Alibozek, Matthew Wilk, Jr., Clement St. Hilaire, Richard Ziarnik, Robert Thompson, Angelo Decensi and Gary Gattuso, under the command of Richard Giroux. William Parkhurst was the bugler. The flag was folded by David Smachetti and Schwarzer, who presented it to Mr. O’Connor’s wife, Betty.
The pallbearers were Brian Burgess, Devin Burgess, Colin O’Connor, Courtney O’Connor, Will O’Connor, Grace O’Connor, Elizabeth O’Connor, Kathryn Lang, Conor Welch, Olivia Welch, Luke Welch and Caleb Mitchell, grandchildren; Jeri Burgess, granddaughter-in-law; and Shawna Jones, Devin Burgess’ fiancée.
A large delegation of members of the Berkshire County Bar Association, as well as Mr. O’Connor’s partners and colleagues at Donovan & O’Connor Attorneys-at-Law, formed an honor guard at the church for the funeral.
Mr. O’Connor died Nov. 14. The Paciorek Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.