Coralie M. O'Connor, 85

WORCESTER - Coralie M. O'Connor, 85, Olympic Swimmer and Life-long City Educator passed away Tuesday, December 31, 2019.

Coralie's desire to become a world-class swimmer surfaced early and drove her to practice no matter what the obstacles. She began her training at the Lincoln Square Boys Club, during a time when woman were not allowed in the Club. As a recent graduate of Classical High School, she qualified for the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki, Finland by finishing third in the nationals in the 100-meter backstroke. O'Connor's swimming feats didn't end with the Olympics. In 1955 while a junior at Purdue, she was the National AAU backstroke champion and an All-American. That same year, she competed in the Pan American Games in Mexico City and won a silver medal in the 100-meter backstroke and a gold medal with the relay medley team.

Coralie founded the Worcester Swim Club, teaching competitive swimming to countless city youngsters. Although she always had regrets of never producing an Olympian, the WSC won many team and individual trophies. She was a member of the national Swimming Hall of Fame and the first woman to be inducted into the Worcester Boys and Girls Club Hall of Fame, she was also the first woman to coach a male varsity sport at Worcester Academy in the 70s.

Coralie also spent more than three decades teaching physical education in the Worcester public schools, most recently at South High School. She was a longtime member and volunteer at All Saints Church.

She leaves a niece, Suzanne Criswell and her husband, Gary; a nephew, Paul Garcia and his wife, Kim; great-nephews, Chad Minton and his wife, Christina and their son, Luke, Scott Minton and his wife, Caitlin, Connor Garcia and Brandon Garcia and three cousins, Donna Scott, Gayle Turner and Coral Prince-Wilson. Her brother, Paul H. O'Connor and her sister, Lois Ann Garcia predeceased her.

A Funeral Service to Celebrate Coralie's life will be held Saturday, January 11 at 11am in All Saints Church, 10 Irving Street. Burial was held privately in Rural Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to, American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org. Arrangements in the care of Callahan Fay Caswell Funeral Home, 61 Myrtle Street.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Worcester Telegram & Gazette from Jan. 6 to Jan. 9, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Coralie O'Connor

Sponsored by Callahan Fay Caswell Funeral Home.

11 Entries

Sue Godin

December 25, 2020

Here we are December 2020. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think of you. I miss our chats and walking Tucker. I hope you are at peace and no more pain. Miss you so much

Sue

Gayle Prince Turner

January 10, 2020

Coralie was my 2nd cousin & was like a sister to my mother, Elinor Prince. Elinor lived with Coralie's family in her younger years. We spent time together with Coralie enjoying lobster at my family's camp in Plymouth. Coralie is also responsible for my husband & my love of camping. We bought her camper in 2016. We have become avid RVers now because of her. My family would meet Coralie and mom in various camping spots in Maine. It was such good times. We will miss her and the good times we had.

Joe Monfredo

January 9, 2020

Coralie was a great dedicated teacher who loved helping kids succeed in swimming and life.
She was a great in swimming and gave back to the community by starting the Worcester Swim-club teaching swimming skills and having them compete all over the country..Her teams did very well and the kids had fun
Inspired by the hard work and 5AM morning practice before school.
She helped teach them that if they had the desire, drive and integrity they could succeed in anything.

My son and daughter are very grateful to have had her as a coach and we will miss her. RIP Coralie.

Chandler Taylor

January 8, 2020

My deepest condolences to Coralie's family. She was my swim coach from 1978 to 1982. I can count on one hand the people that inspired and built me to succeed in life. Coralie was one of those individuals!! January 9th marks my 30 year anniversary as a military pilot. I have had an amazing career flying helicopters in the Army, and then helicopters and jets for the Air Force. I could easily do another 30 years if the Air Force allowed it. BUTI could not have done it without a strong foundation of desire, drive and integrity. Those traits were drilled into me at a very early age and they have followed me ever since. Those traits were what Coralie demanded from me, both in and out of the pool. Up until High School I was a mediocre student, but that all changed once Coralie taught me to be accountable for my actions. Not only did my grades improve, but my attitude and gratitude as well. She was incredible swim coach.and even better life coach. Although I was only blessed to have her in my life for 4 yearsthose 4 years helped mold me into the man I am today. I have very few regrets in life, and not telling her how much she inspired me is one of those. I hope Coralie's family can smile knowing what she meant to me.
Coralie has been and will be forever in my thoughts and prayers. I am a better person for having had her in my life.

Chandler Taylor

Stephen DeVincent

January 8, 2020

I wish I had spent more time with Coralie as we worked together at South High..we talked on a few occasions and I was impressed with her dedication to the job as a phys ed teacher..

January 7, 2020

I had gone to Oxford Street grammar school with Coralie and she was such a nice person. I lost track of her when we went to high school even though we lived near each other. She was a great swimmer and her life was spent at the YWCA just concentrating on her swimming. I am sorry to hear of her passing. God bless old friend.

January 7, 2020

Sending my deepest sympathy to Coralie's family. joyce hokans

January 7, 2020

Worked with Coralie at South High. Very personable. Rest In Peace.

Donna Scott

January 6, 2020

Coralie was my 2nd cousin and dear friend. We spent many summers together with other family members and friends at the Camp in Plymouth, Massachusetts. We will miss her and toast her with lobster and blueberry pie this summer.
Love to her dear friends and church family in Worcester, and to her sisters family whom she loved so.
Donna Scott of Billings, Montana

Carol Kalil-Hamilton

January 6, 2020

Coralie
Was my gym teacher in jr high
Many years later my kids took swimming lessons from her and were in her swim team.
Rest In Peace
May your memory be eternal

Sue Godin

January 6, 2020

Coralie wasn't just a neighbor, she was a very special friend. We will be forever great full to have had the chance of knowing this amazing woman and her dog Tucker. We were very saddened to hear of her passing. Sending healing prayers and comforting hugs to her family in this time of need.

Sue, Tom, and Emily

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