THOMAS JAMES O'CONNOR

1931 - 2022

O'CONNOR, Thomas James Age 91, of Merrimac, passed peacefully at his home on Friday evening, November 25, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. He was the devoted husband of 60 years to Mary Joan (Coughlan) O'Connor, who passed on April 2, 2019. Born in Medford, April 24, 1931, Tom was the son of Thomas O'Connor and Anne E. (Murphy) Foley, and was a graduate of Medford High School. A proud veteran of the Korean War, Tom served with the United States Army from July 11, 1953 until his honorable discharge on July 12, 1955 with the rank of Sergeant. After his military service, Tom continued his education, receiving a bachelor's degree from Bentley University, followed by a master's degree in Business Administration from Northeastern University. He retired from the real estate and property tax division of Boston Edison Power Company, and was a longtime member of the American Legion, the VFW, and the Irish Ancestral Research Association (TIARA). Tom met his love, Mary Joan Coughlan, on a beach in Scituate, and on September 20, 1958 they married. In their 60 years together, they traveled extensively, and he captured each adventure with his keen photography skills. Nothing brought Tom more joy than being with family and being surrounded by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was an avid reader, loved to research genealogy, and enjoyed puttering around the house while listening to Irish music and singing along. Tom will always be remembered for his genuine kindness, enormous heart, and his capacity for unconditional love. He leaves behind many, who will miss his wit, humor and love, including his children, Thomas and wife Shirley of Lakeville, MA, John and wife Linda of Dover, NH, and Jane O'Connor of Blue Hill, ME; grandchildren, Thomas and husband Brendan of Tyngsboro, Robert of Fall River, Christine and husband George of Lakeville, Patrick and wife Carolyn of Exeter, NH, and Ryan and wife Kaitlyn of S. Berwick, ME; great-grandchildren, Michael, Maeya, Arianna, Kayleigh, Daniel, Johnwangel, Angel, Reese and Camille; and several nephews, nieces, cousins and friends. In addition to his parents and his wife, Tom was predeceased by his brother, Robert O'Connor. Visiting hours will be held Sunday, December 4, 2022 from 2 to 5 PM at the Highland Chapel of Paul C. Rogers Family Funeral Home, 2 Hillside Avenue, AMESBURY. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, December 5, 2022 at 10:30 AM at the Immaculate Conception Church, 42 Green Street, Newburyport. Burial at Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford, will be private for the family. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Thomas J. O'Connor can be made to Home Base Veterans and Family Care Program, with checks payable to Home Base, 125 Nashua Street, Suite 540, Boston, MA 02114, or to Hospice Care at Tufts Medicine Care at Home, 360 Merrimack Street, Suite 425, Lawrence, MA 01843.