Father Oliver J. O'Connor

Father Oliver J. O'Connor O.F.M. Cap. the son of the late William F. and Helen V. Curley-O'Connor and brother of Dr. William F. O'Connor was born Joseph in Yonkers, NY on 10 June 1916. He attended Sacred Heart Elementary School in Yonkers from 1922 to 1930 and Mary Immaculate Seraphicate, Garrison, NY from 1930 to 1934. Fr. Oliver entered the Capuchin Franciscan order on 26 August 1934 and pronounced first vows at St. Felix Friary, Huntington, IN on 27 August 1935. From 1935 to 1939 he studied Philosophy at Mary Immaculate Friary in Garrison, where he pronounced perpetual vows on 27 August 1938. From 1939 to 1943 he studied Theology at St. Anthony Friary, Marathon, WI. He was ordained to the priesthood on 24 June 1942 by the late Bishop William R. Griffin at St. Mary's Church Marathon, WI Diocese of La Crosse. From 1943 to 1946 Fr. Oliver served as associate pastor at St. Joseph Parish, Appleton, WI. From 1947 to 1956 he was assigned to St. John the Baptist Friary, New York City as Vocation Director and preaching ministry. He served as a member of the preaching apostolate from 1956 to 1961 while assigned to St. Joseph Friary. Fultonville, NY. From 1961 to 1964 Fr. Oliver returned to St. John the Baptist Church on West 31st Street in New York City where he ministered as pastor and guardian. In 1964 he was appointed guardian of St. Joseph Friary, Fultonville, NY where he resumed his ministry of preaching, also serving as guardian until 1967. Fr. Oliver continued as a member of preaching apostolate of the Province and in 1973 transferred to St. Fidelis Friary, Interlaken, NY Diocese of Rochester, NY where he remained until joining the senior friar community of St. Clare, 110 Shonnard Place, Yonkers, NY in 2002. In August of 2004 Fr. Oliver celebrated 70 years of religious life and in June of 2007 he celebrated 65 years in the priesthood. The wake is at St. Clare Friary, 110 Shonnard Place, Yonkers, NY on Sunday 27 April 2008 at 2-4 & 7-9PM. the funeral will be held at Sacred Heart Church, Yonkers on Monday 28 April at 11:00AM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory to the Fr. Oliver J. O'Connor Burse c/o Capuchin Franciscans of the Province of St. Mary, 210 West 31st Street, New York, NY 10001. The purpose of the Capuchin Burse is to fund the recruitment, education, training, preparation and sending friars of the New York-New England Province for service in the ministries of the Catholic Church. . Whalen & Ball Funeral Home 168 Park Avenue Yonkers (914)965-5488