Cornelius B. "Neil" O'Connor

1944 - 2017

Cornelius B. "Neil" O'Connor, 72, of Old Lyme, formerly of Dusty Lane, Wethersfield, beloved husband of Antoinette "Toni" (Grasso) O'Connor for 52 years, passed away peacefully, Thursday, December 7, 2017 at St. Francis Hospital with his loving and devoted family by his side. Neil was born December 30, 1944 in Waterbury and was the son of the late Alice (Brodeur) Bieszczad. He was employed by the State of Connecticut, Department of Transportation, Bureau of Aviation and Ports for 42 years, retiring several years ago. He served in the U.S. Air Force Reserves. Neil enjoyed spending time with his beach buddies and was a longtime active member of the Wethersfield Chapter, UNICO National. He will be forever loved and dearly missed by his family, friends and UNICO brothers. A loving husband, father and grandfather, he is survived by his devoted wife Toni; two sons, John J. O'Connor and Patrick B. O'Connor and two adored granddaughters, Kaylee, Erica and their mother, Dena O'Connor. He is also survived by his sister, Mary Anne Salemi, as well as several nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews and the faithful dog, Rocky. Besides his mother, he was predeceased by his granddaughter, Isabella O'Connor and his brother-in-law, James Salemi. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday (December 11) at 12 noon at the Church of the Incarnation, 544 Prospect Street, Wethersfield. Everyone is asked to please go directly to the church. The burial with military honors will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford. Family and friends may call on Sunday from 2-6 p.m. at the D'Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd., Wethersfield. Donations in Neil's memory may be made to the March of Dimes, 500 Winding Brook Drive, Suite 8, Glastonbury, CT 06033 or the House of Bread, 1453 Main Street, Hartford, CT 06120. To share a memory of Neil with his family, please visit www.desopo.com