Brendan John O'Connor

1978 - 2022

Brendan John O'Connor Dec. 22, 1978 - May 5, 2022 It is with great sadness we inform you of the unexpected loss of our son, brother, husband, and friend, Brendan John O'Connor, due to sudden cardiac arrest. Brendan was known up and down the coast for his love of surfing, diving, fishing and life around and in the water. He was a highly respected craftsman in the construction trade known for his skill, creativity, and artistic sensibility in a large variety of sheet metal projects. He was a great thinker, observer, and problem solver. Brendan was preceded in death by his father, Ed O'Connor, who passed when Bren was five years old. He was raised by his mother, Dana O'Connor, at Rancho Baulines along with his brother Kevin. Nearby grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins and friends made his childhood very special. Brendan attended Bolinas School followed by four years at Marin Academy. He attended UC Santa Cruz and earned his BA in Environmental Studies with a focus on Marine Sciences. It was at Marin Academy that Brendan met his future wife, Annie (Schowalter) O'Connor, with whom he shared many years of love, friendship, and outdoor adventures. Brendan will leave a huge hole in the West Marin community as he takes with him his vast knowledge of our natural world; the birds, plants and animals, and particularly his knowledge of the ocean and it's secrets. He will also leave some still wondering where his secret fishing holes, diving spots, and mushrooming sites were. Brendan will always be remembered for his way of attentive listening, deep empathy for others, and his willingness to help in times of need. Brendan is predeceased by his grandmother Cela O'Connor, his grandfather Dale Corliss, and his father-in-law Fred Schowalter. He is survived by his wife Annie O'Connor; their dog Nori; brother Kevin O'Connor; mother Dana O'Connor; stepfather Peter Smith; mother-in-law Elly Schowalter; sister-in-law Lisa O'Connor; nieces Piper and Quinn O'Connor; aunts and uncles: Birgit and Dan O'Connor, Hilary and Thorny Smith, and Marge and Scott Kauffman; cousins: Nick and Jim O'Connor, Alli and Collin Smith, and Kurtis Kauffman and Amy Penick; grandparents Shirlee Corliss and John O'Connor; along with a large, wonderful, loving extended family. We, his family and friends, will miss him profoundly. We know he will be with us when we are out enjoying nature in all its forms.