Raymond O'Connor

Raymond Edward O'Connor, beloved father and "Grampa," passed away on Monday, April 7th, 2025. He was 78 years old. Raymond was born in Hartford, Connecticut on July 30, 1946, to Laurence J. and Lillian (McConnell-Conway) O'Connor. His life was shaped by a close bond with his father with whom he shared a love of the Boston Red Sox. He spent his early life in Hartford and many summer vacations at Hawks Nest Beach in Old Lyme. He was one of the Garvin's "Doughnut Kids" who sold fresh baked doughnuts door to door to vacationers. He attended Holy Trinity High School in Hartford, Connecticut, and was a member of the last graduating class in 1964. After studying at Hartford Accounting School he worked as an accountant at Travelers Insurance Company for over 25 years. He was later employed by the State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and retired in 2006. He is survived by his daughters Kristin O'Connor of East Hartland, CT, Elizabeth and her husband Kevin Tickey of North Granby, CT, and his son Daniel and his wife Mary (Trull) of Coventry, CT, and his cherished grandchildren Serra and Laura Tickey and James and Dylan O'Connor; along with his former wife Martha (Norton) O'Connor. He also leaves his sister Kathleen O'Connor of Andover, CT, nephews Connor and Cameron Yanicky, niece Emma Yanicky, his cousin Pearl McConnell of Winchendon, MA, and many other loving nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister Therese O'Connor and brother Laurence O'Connor, and his former long-time partner Karin Norton. He dedicated much of his time to destigmatizing mental illnesses and acted as an advocate at the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Connecticut - in addition to volunteering at the Crysalis Center of Hartford. In his retirement he loved spending time tracing his family's genealogy back to the 1600s. He was a devoted Bob Dylan fan, and he enjoyed many of his concerts over the years. He was also the best person to have on a family trivia team - he was known to deduce winning answers to all the obscure questions. His family will greatly miss his gentle nature, sharp wit, and insightful thoughts. Our family would like to sincerely thank the nurses and staff at River Ridge of Avon, McLean Hospice, and his private aides for their compassionate and gentle care over the past few weeks. In lieu of flowers, donations in Raymond's honor can be made to National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) at 1030 New Britain Avenue, Suite 201, West Hartford, CT or the Jimmy Fund at 10 Brookline Place, Brookline, MA. Family and friends may call at the John F. Tierney Funeral Home, 219 West Center Street, Manchester, CT on Saturday, April 12 from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at St. Mary Cemetery in East Hartford. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Raymond, please visit our floral store.