Brian Thomas O'Connor

1947 - 2021

Brian Thomas O'Connor

January 23, 1947 - April 26, 2021

Brian Thomas O'Connor passed away in his hometown of Waynesboro, Virginia, on Monday, April 26, 2021 at age 74. He was a former Rahway resident born to the late Stephen and Katherine O'Connor of Rahway, N.J. He was preceded in death by brothers, Stephen "Carlos", John, and Kerry. He is survived by sons, Brian and Brennan, and three granddaughters, Jenna, Echo, and Jordan.

Brian served with U.S. Army 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) in Vietnam where he was severely injured during combat in May 1968. He was the recipient of a Purple Heart and Bronze Star Medal.

He soon after started a family and adventured to and lived in various countries in Europe, Middle-East, Western Asia, and the South Pacific.

Brian, an artist and UNC Greensboro graduate moved to Virginia where he opened a pottery studio and served as project coordinator for the Blue Ridge Heritage Trail Initiative to preserve unique culture and heritage of the Blue Ridge region. He was an actor and playwright in the American Shakespeare Center / Blackfriars Playhouse in Staunton, Va. where he also received a Master of Letters/Master of Fine Arts from Mary Baldwin University with a thesis on Shakespearian actor speed memorization techniques.

Brian, a deeply spiritual man, was active in his local congregation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was ordained to the office of priest in the Aaronic Priesthood. He loved the message of love, redemption, and salvation through Jesus Christ and desired to share his testimony with any who would listen.

Brian will rest at Arlington National Cemetery with an accompanying service announced at a later date.

Those wishing may share a memory or an online condolence by visiting www.reynoldshamrickfuneralhomes.com

Arrangements entrusted to the Waynesboro Chapel of Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes. 540.949.8383