DR. JOHN ROBERT O'CONNOR

O'CONNOR DR. JOHN ROBERT 80, of Northville passed away on Thursday, May 17 from pneumonia. Dr. O'Connor is survived by his wife, Sandy (Moran) O'Connor; his four children from his first wife Lillian (Guidobono) O'Connor: Michael O'Connor and his wife Belinda, Mary Doa, Dennis O'Connor, and Jean Walters and her husband Calvin; 12 grandchildren; three great grandchildren; and his sister Lorraine (O'Connor) Fox. The son of Fred and W. Inez (Fournier) O'Connor, John was born in 1932 in Detroit, Michigan. John attended St Francis de Sales Grade school, Northwestern High School for 3 years and then graduated from Cooley High School. He served in the Air Force with Strategic Air Command, then went on to get his Doctorate of Chiropractic from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1958. Dr. O'Connor was a life time member of the Michigan Chiropractic Society (now MAC) and past president of the Michigan Fellowship of Straight Chiropractors. Throughout his career, he served on several Boards of Directors, including the Federation of Straight Chiropractic Organizations (FSCO) and the Michigan Chiropractic Council. He was also a long time member of the American Legion and past commander of Post 483. Dr. O'Connor owned O'Connor Chiropractic and Wellness in Livonia, Michigan. He believed his purpose in life was to help people and he did this, especially, through chiropractic care. He practiced for over 50 years, shutting his doors just the week before he died. Dr. John also cared for people in many other ways. He was a mentor to people who chose to follow him into the field of chiropractic; he became a dedicated caretaker to his wife, Sandy; he was always readily available to listen and would give advice if asked but would often listen in such a way that one knew the proper thing to do just by talking with him.; he kept his children close, always staying in contact and planning and encouraging participation in family trips – even to Alaska last year; and he was always ready to lighten the mood with a good joke. He was well read, stayed sharp of mind and always seemed to know what to do and when to do it. There was never any gray area in his decision making. He was the type of man and leader that if you were on a sinking ship you would want him in charge. Dr. O'Connor's lived by these words: "Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God provides. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ". (1 Peter 4:11 NLT) John O'Connor was a strong man of faith, who headed up his family on that same faith based character and values. He was a long time member and usher at Our Lady of Victory in Northville. There will be a mass for the cremations on Saturday, August 11th at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, 133 Orchard Dr., Northville, MI 48167 at 10a.m. Immediately followed by a memorial at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, 25800 W. 10 Mile Rd., Southfield , MI 48037