Neil Daniel O'Connor

O'Connor, Neil Daniel, Esq.

Neil D. O'Connor, Esquire, March 14th, 1949 – September 23rd, 2025. Neil, a devoted husband and father, is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Patricia "Patti" (Wiggins) O'Connor, his five children, Neil Dean, Keira Colleen, Lauren Bridget, Daniel Michael and Michael Patrick, their five spouses, Heather (Volk) O'Connor, Christopher Jackson, Thomas Doyle, Caitlin (Knox) O'Connor, and Alex (Totin) O'Connor, and his 15 grandchildren, Neil Dean's sons - Dean & Eamon; Keira's children - Aurora, Mason, Cynara, Leia & Teddy; Lauren's children - Neilla, William & Shannon; Daniel's children - Knox, Westley & Mirren; and, Michael's children - Viola & Leo.

Neil was born Neil Harrington and raised in Michigan's Upper Peninsula to Native American and Irish parents. After the untimely death of their mother, Pauline Forcia Harrington, Neil and his beloved brother, Patrick Harrington, were orphaned when Neil was 10. After working on farms at several foster homes, Neil's 8th grade teacher, Wilhelmina O'Connor, and her husband, Dean O'Connor, adopted him. Wilhelmina would proudly proclaim Neil was the smartest student she ever had, and he would proclaim she and Dean the best parents for which he could have ever asked. With the love and caring of his adopted parents, Neil went from an orphan without shoes to achieving Valedictorian of St. Salvatorian Seminary in Nazianz, Wisconsin in '67, a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Notre Dame in '71, and a Juris Doctor from Northwestern University School of Law in '74.

From clerking at Cooney and Stenn to partner at Johnson, Cusack and Bell to eventually forming his own law firms of O'Connor & Schiff and O'Connor & Karnes, Neil was known as an honest and fierce trial advocate for his clients. While practicing law, sharp humor and intellect brought him many opportunities to speak about trial practice all over the United States. Neil was elected President of the Native American Bar Association and served three years. Neil was also honored to deliver a commencement speech for the graduating class of Northwestern University School of Law in 2003. His message was straightforward and simple: "Go forth. Do Good. Avoid Evil."

In his golden years, Neil was a certified scuba diver and avid swimmer. He cherished his wife and their anniversaries, his children and grandchildren's birthdays, and his daily walks around the neighborhood, rosary and cigar in hand.

Neil's legacy of love, mentorship, humor and faith will endure in the hearts of his family and all those who knew him well. He will be missed every day, but to that, he would surely say: "Life is for the living." He was adamant that he had achieved his goals in this life with his children grown, successful and married, his grandchildren thriving and delighting his playful sense of the world, and the love of his life, Patti, by his side. Life was, and is, good.

A visitation will be Saturday Sept 27th at Adolf & Powell Funeral Home 7000 S. Madison St. Willowbrook, IL. From 2:00 to 7:00 PM. A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for Monday October 13,2025 2:30 PM at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Notre Dame, IN. Entombment will be at Cedar Grove Cemetery Notre Dame, IN. With a reception to follow at Notre Dame's Morris Inn.