Paul Daniel O’Connor Jr.

1936 - 2024

Paul Daniel O'Connor, Jr. passed away at the age of 87 on January 14, 2024, at his residence in Reston Virginia attended by his loving family. Paul was born November 24, 1936, and grew up in Allendale, New Jersey.
After graduating from Ramsey High School, he was admitted to the United States Naval Academy where he was a member of the 17th Company of the Brigade of Midshipmen. Upon graduation in June 1959 Paul was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Air Force and joined the 566th Strategic Missile Squadron in the Strategic Air Command. After three years, he left the USAF for the University of Virginia School of Law, graduating with a J.D. in 1965. He was a member of the New York Bar and began his legal career with the law firm Winthrop, Stimson, Putnam & Roberts in New York City as associate (1965-1972) and partner (1972-1980). He left private practice to serve as Senior Vice President and General Counsel of The Singer Company in Stamford, Connecticut from 1980-1986. From 1986-2021, Paul was the executor and trustee for Wayne and Gladys Valley Estates in San Leandro and Oakland, CA, and CEO of Citation Builders, Inc., the Valley's company, from 1985-1995. He became a member of the California Bar in 1995 and practiced law in Healdsburg and Santa Rosa, CA from 1995-2007.
Paul's many interests included: riding and showing horses (he competed in the hunter and jumper divisions on the East Coast and California); restoring and driving Model A Fords, 1950s English sports cars, and World War II jeeps and trucks; and, later in life, singing and playing bluegrass, western swing, and blues music on the banjo, dobro, acoustic guitar, and steel guitar. With his beloved German Shepherd dog Duchess, Paul was a longtime resident of Healdsburg, CA, until March 2021 when he moved to Virginia.
Paul is preceded in death by his parents Paul and Anne, and his sister, Jane. He is survived by his former wives Nancy O'Connor and Melissa Monson; his son Steven and his wife Julia, his daughter Sheryl and her husband Steve, and his daughter Laura and her husband Andy; grandchildren Shawn, Daniel, Brooke, and Lauren; and great-grandchildren Graham and Isla.
A graveside service will be held at George Washington Memorial Park Cemetery in Paramus, New Jersey
at a later date. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at
https://obituaries.virginiacremate.com/obituaries/chantilly-va/paul-oconnor-11627961