Name: Calling hours for Joseph E. O'Connor
Start: 2016-06-10T21:00:00.000Z
End: 2016-06-10T23:00:00.000Z
Location: Fulton-Theroux Funeral Service

Old Lyme - Captain Joseph E. O'Connor, USN (Ret) of Jericho Drive, Old Lyme, died Saturday, June 4, 2016, at Yale-New Haven Hospital.

He was born on Feb. 12, 1930, in New Haven, the son of John and Hannah O'Connor. He graduated from Hillhouse High School then from Southern Connecticut State College.

He married Agnes Quaini on July 4, 1953, in West Haven.

Captain O'Connor served honorably in the U.S. Navy from 1952 until his retirement in 1979. During his distinguished career he received many commendations and held numerous positions including commanding officer of the USS Chivo, deputy director of the Strategic Operations Division for the Atlantic Fleet, commander of Submarine Division 121, director of Joint Strategic Target Planning and commanding officer of the West Coast Service School Command.

He was a longtime member of Christ the King Church in Old Lyme, the Old Lyme Lions Club, VFW Post 1467, American Legion Post 41, and the Navy League of the United States. He served as president of the Lyme/Old Lyme Chamber of Commerce, chairman of the Democratic Town Committee, a docent at the U.S. Sub Museum and a volunteer at Mystic Seaport.

While a strong leader throughout his distinguished Navy career and thereafter, Joe was also as warm, gentle and friendly as anyone you've ever met. In retirement, Joe enjoyed traveling with Agnes, sailing, making sticky buns at Christmas, playing poker with his buddies and trying to beat the stock market. Joe was a loving and very proud father to his children and supported all of their endeavors. For the past 30 years, Joe loved nothing better than spending time with his grandchildren, John, Meg, Joey, Matt, Sarah and Timmy; and was able to watch them all grow up to become college graduates and productive adults. He would burst with pride when he talked about them and was very excited recently to also join the ranks of great-grandfathers when Agnes Marie was born.

He is survived by Agnes, his loving and devoted wife of almost 63 years; his daughter, Elizabeth (Michael) Dickoff of Minnesota; and son, Joseph (Kathryn) O'Connor Jr. of Nebraska; grandchildren, John (Julianna Simon) Dickoff, Meghan (David) Blodgett, Matthew Dickoff, Joseph (fiancée, Caitlin O'Neill) O'Connor, Sarah O'Connor and Timothy O'Connor; great-grandchild, Agnes Marie Simon-Dickoff; brothers, Raymond O'Connor of Orange and Harold O'Connor of North Branford; sister, Mary Mongillo of Cheshire; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by two sons, David and John O'Connor and brothers, John O'Connor and Robert O'Connor.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 11, 2016, at Christ the King Church, Old Lyme. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, June 10, 2016, in Fulton-Theroux Funeral Home, 13 Beckwith Lane, Old Lyme.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Captain Joseph E. O'Connor, USN (Ret) to Christ the King Church, 1 McCurdy Road, Old Lyme, CT 06371 or The Children's Room at Old Lyme Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library, 2 Library Lane.

Please visit www.fultontherouxoldlyme.com for photos, tributes, directions and more service information.

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

Published by The Day on Jun. 9, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Joseph O'Connor

Sponsored by Fulton-Theroux Funeral Service.

10 Entries

Denece Herrera

June 13, 2016

I was out of State and sorry to hear of Joe's passing. While I worked for him at Tel-A-Train he treated me with compassion and patience. He loves his family and was a wonderful man. I will miss running into him around town!

June 12, 2016

With Deepest Sympathy to the Family,
The Officers and Members of the 4th District Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Mike Cappucci

June 12, 2016

My wife and I attended the services and I was proud to represent, in a small way, the crew of the Chivo (66-68). What a wonderful family we met. One memory I have of Captain O'Connor was when he was informed by the engineering officer that water was restricted because it wasn't available on the Caribbean Island where we pulled in unless we paid a premium for it. Captain O'Connor said "We can't send these men ashore without being showered. Pay the price" And so it was. Observing him in action conning the boat while attacking or avoiding attack was always impressive.
Sorry for your loss. Sorry for our loss.
Mike Cappucci (EM3-SS)

June 11, 2016

I am so sorry for your loss. I hope Jer. 29: 11, 12 brings you comfort during this difficult time.

Rodger Campbell (TM2-SS)

June 11, 2016

I'm very sorry for your loss, my the light of God always shine on Captain Joe and his families. I was aboard the Chivo from 67-69 with great memories of Captain Joe's fishing barge, ha ha. While operating with other Naval vessels in war game operations if not in the attack mode, Captain Joe would take boat to the surface and orders would be all fishing lines over the side enjoy sub sailors. I feel very blessed to have served with great Commanding Officer and Man

Bill Dixon

June 10, 2016

On behalf of the United States Submarine Veterans (USSVI), I offer our sincere condolences on Joseph's passing. You and your loved ones are in our thoughts and prayers. We are forever grateful for Joseph's service to our country in the U.S. Submarine Service. To our Brother of the Phin we say, Sailor, rest your oar. We have the watch. May you rest in peace and may God bless your loved ones who remain. Thank you for your service to our country."
Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. - 2 Thess 3:16.

Joseph E. O'Connor, US Navy, Now on Eternal Patrol.
Fair Winds and Following Seas Shipmate
His record is now posted online in the Eternal Patrol file on the USSVI website.

Bill Dixon, National Chaplain United States Submarine Veterans, USSVI.

Renee Durant

June 9, 2016

To Mrs. O'Connor and family, I am sorry for your loss. I was friends with John Bartholomew O'Connor in high school. We were friends and lab partners. I found an old notebook a few years back and found some of his writings and notes he would write to me with his many colored fountain pens. Had John lived, I like to think he'd been as great a man as his dad. I still visit his grave site every time I'm in Old Lyme and I think of him often.

Nick Nichols

June 9, 2016

To the O'Connor Family,

On behalf of the Charleston Base SUBVETS and Swamp Fox Chapter SUBVETS WWII, I offer you our sincere condolences on Joseph's passing. We grieve with you on the loss of your loved one and all SUBVETS and their families have your family in our thoughts and prayers. There is no expiration date on the back of our dolphins and Joseph will always be remembered as a Brother of the Phin and a great Patriot.

CAPT Joseph E. O'Connor
US Navy Submarine Veteran Retired
Now on Eternal Patrol
Sailor Rest Your Oar
Your Shipmates Have The Watch

Fair Winds and Following Seas Shipmate

Charleston Base Submarine Veterans
Nick Nichols, Base Chaplain

Pam Hine & family

June 9, 2016

We are all going to miss Joe's cheerful, friendly presence. He always had time to chat and always made me smile - not to mention he made a mean sticky bun! After 37 years next door, he will leave a hole in our lives.

Martha Jacques

June 9, 2016

My sincere condolences to Agnes, who I knew from Child & Family and from a former job I had.

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