Michael Joseph O'Connor Jr.

Michael (Mickey) Joseph O'Connor, Jr.; age 52 of Auburn Hills, Michigan, passed away April 2, 2024. Devoted husband of Jocelyn (nee Firster) for 23 years; most loving and doting dad of Fiona and Juliet; loving son of the late Michael J. O'Connor, the late Mary Boes and Chris (Sheila) Boes; dear son-in-law of Mary (Steve) Oehler and Dr. Harold (Irene) Firster; dear brother of Colleen O'Connor (Peter Traskal) and Dan Boes (Reka Gomez); brother-in-law of the late Harold Firster II "BJ". Michael is also survived by many loving aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Mickey graduated from Rochester Adams High School in Rochester Hills, Michigan in 1989 and attended Northern Michigan University in Marquette. He left college to work full time for National Ordnance Automotive, where he developed expertise in metal fabrication and machining. Mick loved his work. During his hospital stay, he would recite formulas and machine calibrations to his nurses generating their confused looks and giggles. He frequently fixed everything metal that was broken-- lawn mower parts, bird feeders, boat docks, and coffee tables!
Mickey had many interests. He loved the outdoors and with his wife, Jocelyn, hiked a different Michigan trail to celebrate their anniversary every October. He became an expert angler and kept the O'Connor freezer stocked with walleye, snook, red fish, trout, salmon and bass. He loved camping and attended the Bone's annual trip every May since 1980 (except 2010, the year his daughter, Juliet, was born). Mickey applied skills honed at his shop to his long time hobby of refurbishing Pilliod, Gerstner, and Kennedy antique wooden tool boxes. He was also perhaps one of the first Bob Dylan enthusiasts truly appreciating the tunes and lyrics, and owning hundreds of his albums, CD's, biographies and collectibles.
Always respectful, kind and generous to everyone, Mickey will be immeasurably missed by all!
A memorial mass will be held on Saturday, April 13, 2024 – 10:30amwith a 10am in-state at Christ the Redeemer Parish, 2700 Waldon Rd., Lake Orion. The family will receive friends on Friday, April 12, 2024 – 4pm to 8pm with a 7pm prayer service at Modetz Funeral Home, 100 E. Silverbell Rd., Orion.
Suggested memorial donations may be made to the Michigan Dept. Of Natural Resources (consider buying a park pass with license renewal)