John Edward O'Connor

John Edward O'Connor
of Endwell
John "Banjo Jack" O'Connor took his final bow on August 19th, 2009, at home, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on December 6, 1916 in Binghamton, NY. He was predeceased by his father, Martin; mother, May; sisters, Frann, Mary English, Margaret Downs; and brother, Donald. He is survived by Georgina, his devoted wife of 62 years; his children, Colleen Bennett (Mark) and Christine Balsley (Douglas) of Endwell, Susan Howard (Stan) of Vestal, and Martin (Patrice) O'Connor; his grandchildren, Rory and Eileen of Clifton Park, NY; his sister, Beatrice O'Connor of Hillcrest; his sister-in-law, Carla Bernardo, Canton, OH; and his nieces and nephews, Gary, David and Alan Bernardo, Canton, OH, Bridget and Donald O'Connor Jr., Hillcrest, Kara Falcone, New York City, D'Arcy and Mary Downs, Hillcrest, Lia Leahy and Lisa, Michael and Mark Moore, all of Canton, OH. Jack loved entertaining and he started early in life. He danced with his sisters, Mary and Frann, as the O'Connor Trio after "beer came back," and played his banjo on local radio programs. Jack was a Radioman 2nd Class in the U.S. Navy, stationed at Sampson Naval Base during WWII, where he met his "little Georgina." He was also an active musician in the Navy. While working at I.B.M. in Endicott and Owego, Jack taught himself guitar when he was "encouraged" to play it in the I.B.M. Community band and I.B.M. Orchestra. Later on, he took his one and only guitar lesson from guitar-great Charlie Byrd. With his banjo, guitar and mandolin, Jack played with many local bands and combos, such as "The Gino Calistri Orchestra" in the Arlington Hotel, "Our Gang," "Guitar Guitar" with Rico Zizzi, the "Basin Street Blues Band," Russ Nygren's "Jazz Band Ball," Rico Zizzi's "Dixieland Express," and Jack O'Connor's Trio. He also enjoyed teaching guitar and banjo lessons for over 30 years. With his Ham Radio ticket (call letters were W2SOZ and W2KC), he was in regular contact with friends and new acquaintances worldwide. He was an artist. He painted in oils and carved in wood. He was a member of I.B.M.'s Quarter Century Club as well as Local 380 of the American Federation of Musicians. Jack cherished his "families" - his wife and children, grandchildren and nieces and nephews, his musician family and his family of fellow ham radio operators. He had an infectious smile ("Smilin' Jack'") and brought many smiles to others with his music. He will be sorely missed.
Prayer services will be held Monday at 9:15 a.m. at the Barber Memorial Home Inc., 428 Main Street, Johnson City with a funeral mass being offered at 10:00 a.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Church, Endicott. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Barber Memorial Home on Sunday from 6-8 p.m. The family would like to thank Dr. Frank Floyd and his entire office staff, especially Kim, Amy and Eileen. Loving thanks as well to Marcia and Rose for their special care and to Dennis Martin and his wife, Mary, for their treasured friendship. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to VH1 Save the Music Foundation, 1515 Broadway, 20th Floor, NY, NY, 10036 or online at vh1savethemusic.com.