Norman J. O'Connor CSP

O'CONNOR - Norman J. CSP, on June 29, 2003 at 81. Born in Detroit, he was ordained a Paulist Priest in Washington, DC, May 1, 1948. Known as the Jazz Priest, he was co-founder and central figure of the Newport Jazz Festival. He became known as one of the few jazz authorities outside the ranks of professional musicians. In the 60's Fr. O'Connor hosted the CBS-TV program "Dial M for Music." In 1989, he was honored by Pope John Paul with the Bene Merenti Medal, a papal award conferred "for exceptional accomplishment and service." He became a legend in the field of addiction services in New Jersey. During his tenure as executive director of Straight & Narrow it grew from a small alcohol and drug treatment agency to become the largest private not-for-profit treatment agency in the state. Beloved brother of Patrick and James O'Connor and predeceased by two sisters Stella O'Connor and Mary Ventura. Reception of the body will take place at 4:30 PM, Wednesday, July 2, at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Milton, NJ. The wake service will be at 7:30 PM in the same location. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated by Bishop Frank J. Rodimer, Bishop of Patterson, at 10 AM, July 3, at St. Thomas the Apostle with burial immediately following at Mt. Paul, the former Paulist Fathers novitiate, in Oak Ridge, NJ. Arrangements by Vander Plaat Stickle Memorial Home, 187 La Rue Rd., Newfoundland.