Father John L. O'Connor

ROCHESTER/PENN YAN - Father John L. O'Connor, who served as a priest of the Diocese of Rochester for nearly 60 years, died on Thursday (August 18, 2022) after a brief illness. He was 85 years old.

Father O'Connor, born the son of Jeremiah and Jessie (Bell) O'Connor on May 19, 1937, grew up in Greece's Our Mother of Sorrows Parish. He attended St. Andrew's and St. Bernard's seminaries in Rochester, and was ordained a priest on June 1, 1963, by Bishop James E. Kearney at Sacred Heart Cathedral. He served in several parishes, including a 26-year pastorate at Our Lady of Lourdes, Brighton, until 2006 when he was granted senior status. From 2006 to the present, Father O'Connor assisted at Our Lady of the Lakes Parish, Penn Yan.

Father O'Connor was a U.S. Army Reserve chaplain from 1965-90 and retired a lieutenant colonel.

Father O'Connor is survived by many Bell cousins and O'Connor cousins (of Ontario, Canada), and by his brother priests of the Diocese of Rochester.

Calling Hours will be held on Monday (August 22) at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Brighton, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., concluding with Evening Prayer from the Office for the Dead at 7 p.m., the Most Reverend Salvatore. R. Matano, Bishop of Rochester, presiding.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday (August 23) at Saint Michael Church, Our Lady of the Lakes Parish, 312 Liberty St., Penn Yan at 10:30 a.m. Father O'Connor will lie in state in Saint Michael Church 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m., prior to the Funeral Mass, the Most Reverend Salvatore. R. Matano, Bishop of Rochester, presiding.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Michael School, 214 Keuka St., Penn Yan, NY 14527.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Townsend-Wood & Zinger Funeral Home, Penn Yan, N.Y. To leave the family a message of condolence, or to light a "Candle of Remembrance", please visit www.townsendwoodzinger.com