John Edward O'Connor

John Edward O'Connor obituary, Vestal, NY

John Edward O'Connor

John O'Connor Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers from Aug. 21 to Aug. 22, 2009.

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.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Sign John O'Connor's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

August 31, 2009

C Sarnecky posted to the memorial.

August 24, 2009

Pia Demetry-Bendert posted to the memorial.

August 24, 2009

Someone posted to the memorial.

C Sarnecky

August 31, 2009

Hey Colleen,
Sorry, sounds like he had a long good ride. What more can you ask?

Chris and Tomoko and Taiga in Japan
[email protected]

Pia Demetry-Bendert

August 24, 2009

My dad used to take mandolin lessons from Mr. O'Connor. When I was about 8 years old, dad talked me into taking lessons too. Mr. O'Connor was my teacher for the next 7 years. He was the most patient, kindest teacher, I'll always remember my lessons with him. My dad passed away in April. I'm sure he is once again brushing up his mandolin skills with Mr. O'Connor. May your memories give you peace and help you heal. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

August 24, 2009

Aunt Georgie, Colleen, Susan, Chris and Marty,
We were so sad to hear that Uncle Jack had passed away. The day he died was also my mom's birthday. I would like to believe that they are in heaven together with Aunt Isabelle...:) Our thoughts and prayers are with you. He was a special man... and holds a special place in our hearts!
We love you all.....
Lia, Mike, Mark and Lisa

Jeanne Carangelo

August 23, 2009

Dear O'Connor Family,

My dad Jack played drums with Our Gang. He just passed away June 28th. We had alot of fun during those times our familys all getting together. Your dad so enjoyed playing music and it is a blessing that he was able to enjoy playing as long as he did. May your love and memories help through this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Jeanne "Minnow" Carangelo

Mario and Marty Cerroni

August 23, 2009

Dear Georgie, Colleen, Chris, Susan, and Marty,

Mario and I wish to express our deepest sympathy to each and every one of you.

Mario tells me that Colleen and Susan were his first piano students during a summer program at Maine-Endwell and this is how he met Jack. Jack also was an influence for Mario to get his ham radio license. I bet there is not a single person in the triple cities who has not enjoyed Jack's music at one time or another at a club, a wedding or a dance and he always had that signature "giggle and smile". Right now I bet he has already joined Gino, Ricco and many others who have taken their final bow and are having one heck of a jam session.

Our prayers and thoughts are with you.

Love,

Mario and Marty

anne johnson

August 22, 2009

Bridget and Donald O'Connor and Family,
My sincere sympathy to all the family. Dec.6th must have been a day for great men. God Bless You All.

Sincerely,
Anne Johnson

John S Hoch

August 22, 2009

My sincere condolences to the O'connor family. I fondly remember the numerous guitar lessons that "Jack" gave me in my teens, with most of the later ones "jamming" in the basement for most of the times - How the family put up with that is beyond me, but he said that I apparently had "some" talent. He was always a happy person, and that is very hard to find these days - He will be missed.

Michael Foster

August 22, 2009

Mrs. O, Colleen, Christine, Susan and Marty,
On behalf of my brother and sister I would like to extend our thoughts and prayers to your family during this time of loss.

Marty, be comforted by some of the great times we had, playing PDR on your front lawn with Jack as all time "P". We were better than the Giants back then.... Playing Hoops on your court and being too exuberent while shhh my Dad's giving a lesson, and my all time favorite memory was your Dad's Ace at the crow's nest!

Dr. Michael Kinney

August 22, 2009

Dear Jack's Family, Gone from us is one of the most wonderfully gifted and talented individuals I have ever known. His warm smile radiated a personality that touched the hearts of all those with whom he interacted. Jack was a very, very special person to me, and I shall forever cherish the many conversations we had as we traveled to and from the numerous "gigs" we played. He deeply loved his wife and children and all of his extended family members. Jack was a true "gentle man" who lived his life as we all should; with devotion to family, respect and tolerance for others and a healthy dose of humor to keep one's soul happy and optimistic as we take this journey called "life." Jack, oh Jack, the world is a finer place because of you. Goodbye my friend....

Dan Alter

August 21, 2009

On behalf of my Brothers and my Sister I would like to extend our thoughts and prayers to the O'Conner family...our neighbors and friends.

Mary Ellen Cerroni

August 21, 2009

Dear Georgie,Colleen,Chris,Susan, and Marty,
I'm so sorry to hear about Jack. He was one of my dad's oldest friends and he so loved playing gigs with him.I thought he was the coolest because he used to refer to other musicians as "cats" and it was a "gas". When I visited in the 90's with my dad, Jack suffered through my novice guitar rendition of "Heartache". He would be proud to know that I had my midlife crisis and got my music degree 4 years ago. So many fond childhood memories center around your family.Our prayers are with you.

Carol Scalzo

August 21, 2009

To Georgie and all O'Connors;
We're proud to have known Jack and to have him as an extended part of our family through the marriage of Mark and Colleen. Jack will be missed, but good memories live on forever.
Love you all
Carol

Sandy Darling

August 21, 2009

Susan, My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

August 21, 2009

Our deepest sympathy to all of you in this very difficult time. What a wonderful life your dad had. You will have many memories to help heal with the loss.
Sincerely,
Dawn Marie & Bill Walker

Showing 1 - 14 of 14 results

Barber Memorial Home, Inc. - Johnson City

428 Main Street, Johnson City, NY 13790-1995

Make a Donation
in John O'Connor's name

How to support John's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor John O'Connor's life and legacy
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more

Sign John O'Connor's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

August 31, 2009

C Sarnecky posted to the memorial.

August 24, 2009

Pia Demetry-Bendert posted to the memorial.

August 24, 2009

Someone posted to the memorial.