Thomas Vincent O'Connor

THOMAS VINCENT O'CONNOR
7/18/1929 – 1/24/2023
Thomas Vincent O'Connor, 93, formerly of Lake in the Hills and Woodstock, passed peacefully to join many loved ones in heaven on January 24, 2023, in Joliet, Illinois. Vince, as he was known to his family, was born July 18, 1929, to Thomas and Mary (nee Vahey) O'Connor in Chicago, where he lived until 1968.
A graduate of Mundelein Cathedral High School, Vince served in the Army during the Korean Conflict. He worked for both the Chicago Tribune and as a city cab driver before finding his true calling in the auto dealership business. In retirement, he ran a successful eBay business.
He married Margaret "Peggy" Fair on October 13, 1956, and they spent the next 55 years exhibiting the kind of unconditional love, friendship, support, and fun every marriage and family can hope for. Vince was an expert crossword puzzle and sudoku solver (in ink!), enjoyed trivia, garage sales, the Chicago Blackhawks, finding the perfect Halloween costume, classic TV shows, his massive collection of music and comedy albums, and, a true South Sider-for-life, his beloved Chicago White Sox.
Vince had an unmatched sense of humor, could rock any baby to sleep, and taught his children and grandchildren to appreciate the classics – from Hank Williams and Alan Sherman to finding the best corned beef sandwich in town. He was a devoted husband, an encouraging father, an involved, prankster grandfather, and a faithful friend for life. He will be missed tremendously by all who knew him.
Vince is survived by three children: Laurie (Mike) Stephans, Stephen O'Connor, and Suzanne Helwich; six grandchildren: Rachel (Phil) Wilson, Samantha (Sean Finley) Stephans, Margaret (Charley Vail) Helwich, Becky (Jason Nufer) Stephans, Tom (Vivian) Helwich, and David Helwich; and six great grandchildren: Talan Atkinson, Liam, Levi, and Olivia Nufer, Miles Finley, and Collin Helwich.
In addition to his parents and wife, Vince was preceded in death by his brother, John "Jack" O'Connor, brother-in-law Billy Fair, an infant son, Dennis, son David, and son-in-law Marty Helwich.
Services will be private.