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John O'Connor Obituary
DEACON JOHN "JACK" P. O'CONNOR
AGE: 88 SPRING LAKE HEIGHTS
Deacon John "Jack" P. O'Connor, 88, of Spring Lake Heights and formerly of the Bronx and Brooklyn, NY passed away Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009 at Jersey Shore Medical Center, Neptune. "Deacon Jack" as he was affectionately known to all he ministered to, was a popular and charismatic figure at the Parish of St. Catharine's and St. Margaret's in Spring Lake. He was ordained a Permanent Deacon in the Diocese of Trenton by Bishop George W. Ahr on May 14, 1977 in the first class of Deacons. He continued his ministry at St. Catharine's and St. Margaret's Parish by bringing Communion to and visiting the homebound and infirm, by assisting at many Masses, Baptisms, and funerals. At the age of 75 he officially "retired" from his Parish duties, but continued to serve the people of the Parish until very recently. Another facet of his ministry was visiting the sick Parish members that were in Jersey Shore Medical Center (formerly Fitkin Hospital), Neptune. Born in the Bronx, NY, he had resided in Brooklyn until moving to Spring Lake Heights 39 years ago. As a resident of the Bronx and Brooklyn, Jack was the Proprietor of O'Connor's Club Car Restaurant on Flatbush Ave., Brooklyn, from 1960 until 1979 and prior to this he had owned a tavern in Gerritsen Beach for 10 years. He had also proudly served his country in the US Army Air Force as a Corporal serving from September 1942 until January 1946.
He was predeceased by his parents, James F. and Rose McGrath O'Connor and his brother, James F. "Mickey" O'Connor who was killed in action in the US Army in 1944 during WWII.
Relatives and friends are invited to call on Tuesday, September 22 from 2:30-7 pm at St. Catharine's RC Church, 215 Essex Ave., Spring Lake and once again on Wednesday, September 23 from 9-11am, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11am. Entombment will follow in St. Catharine's Parish Cemetery, Sea Girt. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to the St. Stephen's Fund for Deacons, Office of the Diaconate, P.O. Box 5147, Trenton, NJ 08638-0147 or St. Anne's Scholarship Fund, c/o St. Catharine's School, 301 Second Ave., Spring Lake, NJ 07762. For more information and condolences, please visit www.obrienfuneralhome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John O'Connor
2 Entries
John Briscoe
September 22, 2009
May God bless, Jack, one of the holiest men my family and I have ever had the privilege of knowing. (John Briscoe)
Dorothy Lau
September 21, 2009
Deacon Jack was a wonderful and caring man. I will miss him very much. For several years before my mother passed away he visited her every week with communion, prayers and good conversation. He visited me during three hospital stays and cheered me up. How he loved Spring Lake and all the people in the area and especially loved to dine at Mike Doolans.
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