Ronald F. O'Connor

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Deerfield High School Illinois State University Indiana State University Iowa State University

Ronald O'Connor Obituary

O'Connor, Ronald F.
Ronald F. O'Connor, 74, of Deerfield, IL, passed away February 4th, 2009 in Scottsdale, AZ. He received a Master's Degree from ISU where he met his wife, Barbara, nee Hartenstein, of 51 years. He was drafted into the Army in 1959 and was sent to Germany where he and his wife lived for two years. He came to Deerfield High School as a teacher in 1963 where he was the varsity basketball coach for 17 years and assisted in the varsity football program for much of his career. He retired in 1993. He was an avid golfer and a member of the Deerfield Men's Club. Besides his wife, he is survived by his children, Tim (Mary), Todd (Julie), Tracy (Deborah). He was blessed with eight grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother-in-law, Frank (Melanie) Hartenstein; his brother, Martin (Sonny) O'Connor; two nieces and two nephews. A memorial visitation will be held on Friday, March 6th from 4-8 p.m. at Kelley & Spalding Funeral Home, 1787 Deerfield Rd., Highland Park, IL. A memorial service will be held on Sat., March 7th at 10:30 a.m. at Christ United Methodist Church, 600 Deerfield Rd., Deerfield, IL. In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to LUNGevity Foundation, 435 N. LaSalle St., Ste. 310, Chicago, IL 60654. For funeral info please call Kelley & Spalding Funeral Home at (847) 831-4260 or www.kelleyandspaldingfuneralhome.com.

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Published by Highland Park News from Feb. 26 to Mar. 5, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Ronald O'Connor

9 Entries

October 27, 2009

I was a member of the 1950 U High football squad that had Ron on
the team as a reserve quarterback. His father, Burt, was our coach.
Ron was a dedicated and hard working player and was able to get
into many games played in Normal, Illinois. I was a senior and our
team went 22 straight games without a defeat before 10 of those 11
players all graduated in 1951. Ron went on to play in the fall of
1951 and 52 before graduating from U. High. Ron, we all who are
still alive, will never forget you.
Dick "Gabby" Wachter Dubuque, Iowa

Duncan McBride

March 11, 2009

So sorry for your loss. Please know you are all in our thoughts and prayers.

Duncan, Dan and Brian McBride

Carolyn & Mike Agee

March 6, 2009

Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time. The Agee Family (Mike, Carolyn, Matthew, and Maris).

Jon Henricks

March 5, 2009

Dear Mrs O'Connor and the O'Connor "boys":

Coach and I have exchanged holiday greetings for the past 25+ years and I always looked forward to what he would write in his messages. Mostly reflecting on fond memories we shared as player and Coach.

He was really mad at me once when I played for him and even then, I knew he cared about me. We've laughed about it many times since...

To this day, I still put ear plugs behind my ears when not in use since Coach used to put his chewing gum behind his ears!

I'll miss him, his style, his wit, and the impression he left on me forever.

I'm deeply sorry for OUR loss.

Craig Nadborne

March 5, 2009

Dear O'Connor family:

My heartfelt condolences on the passing of your husband and father.

I have great memories of many long and enjoyable conversations with Coach.
That is, of course, in addition to the many hours of basketball playing, coaching and watching, that we shared.
He was a great man and will be missed by all who knew him.

Craig Nadborne

Adrienne Goldner

March 3, 2009

Dear Barbara,

I send my condolences to you and your family on the loss of your beloved Ron. I was saddened to read of his passing.

With heartfelt sympathy,
Adrienne Goldner, your English aide and friend from Edgewood

Jim Polick

March 2, 2009

Mrs. O’Connor, Tim, Todd and Tracy, words cannot express the sadness and sense of loss we feel on Ron’s passing. The world has lost one wonderful, warm, and funny man.

Rest in peace, Coach.

John Sebben

February 27, 2009

Ron, I had the great pleasure of having you as a coach and teacher while at DHS. You always had a colorful comment, or two, during the movies in health class. You will always be remembered as a "class act".

Russell Isaacson

February 26, 2009

Ron O'Connor was my Home Room teacher at DHS from 1963-1967. He was truly a nice man. His good nature, great sense of humor and warmly sly grin made home room a lot of fun. He used to conduct evasion contests in which he would send us out without a hall pass. It was our mission to run a certain route and return without getting busted by the Hall Marshals. He was fond of telling corny & homey jokes often about his home town Oblong Illinois. Through the years I've often thought of him fondly. I've thought that I was lucky to have had him as a teacher and mentor.
My best wishes and deep condolences to his Family,

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