Robert J. "Bob" O'Connor Sr.

PORTLAND -- Robert J. "Bob" O'Connor Sr., 76, of Farmington, died peacefully on June 17, 2011, with his family by his side at Maine Medical Center in Portland, of complications from heart surgery.

He was born Feb. 27, 1935, in Medford, Mass., a son of Joseph and Edna (Austin) O'Connor.

He was a member of the National Guard and was an Army Reservist in the late 1950s. He was a carpenter and cabinet maker and was a jack of all trades. There was nothing he couldn't do, from building houses to furniture, landscaping to boats.

Bob was a well-respected "hydroplaneologist" and was a member of the American Power Boat Association and the South Shore Outboard Association. He had a passion for his family, hydroplane racing and boat building. He had a small apple orchard and always had a garden.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Pearl (McIsaac), of Farmington; daughter Kathy Poulin and husband Rick of New Portland; sons Bob O'Connor and wife Lynn of Farmington, and Joe O'Connor and his fiancŽe Leticia Stone of Kingfield; grandchildren Ricky Poulin and his girlfriend, Amanda Bowen, Kimberly Poulin, Jason Poulin, Matthew Poulin, Larissa Moulton and her husband, Tom, Tim O'Connor, Ryan O'Connor, Holly O'Connor, Lauri O'Connor, Morgan Spaulding, Emily Stone and Brad Erskine; great-grandchildren Cassidee Moulton and Gunnar Moulton; a brother, Joseph O'Connor, of Florida; and two sisters, Pat Reynolds of Massachusetts and Maureen Fitzgerald of Florida; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, and a grandson, Patrick O'Connor.

At Bob's request, there will be no services. Donations can be sent to South Shore Outboard Association (SSOA) President Alan Akerstrom at 39 Beaver Brook Road, Westford, MA 01886.

Tributes and condolences may be shared with his family at www.wilesrc.com. Cremation services are in the care of Wiles Remembrance Center, 137 Farmington Falls Road, (U.S. Route 2 and Route 27), Farmington and Gracelawn Memorial Park, Auburn.