Obituary for John Patrick O'Connor
John Patrick O’Connor
John was born June 25, 1941 in Bridgeport, CT to John Anthony O’Connor and Bessie Mae O’Connor. John’s family relocated to Tampa, FL where he graduated from Jesuit High School in 1959. John received his AA degree from St. Leo College in 1961. An athlete, John played football, basketball and ran track and field. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1963 with a BBA degree and was a “Fighting Irish” fan for life!
John received his certification as an Internal Auditor in 1973. He earned an MBA from Rockhurst University in 1998. Later in life John attended USF and became a Certified Grant Writer. He was president of Grant Professionals Network in Orlando, FL and a proud member of Leadership Orlando (class #78).
John was actively involved in his Catholic parish in Kansas City, MO as well as outreach in the greater Kansas City community. His parish ministry included being a lector, usher and driver of the parish van to transport older adults to Sunday Mass. He served on the outreach team to El Salvador participating in sister parish trips to San Salvador and outlying communities. John was also involved in a program supported by the Campaign for Human Development that worked as an interfaith committee to combat drug issues and gun violence in the central city of Kanas City. John also served on the Advisory Board of ReStart Inc., an interfaith ministry with homeless persons. He volunteered at the shelter one night a week welcoming guests, serving food and visiting with guests. He was active in Junior Achievement, serving on the board, and was president of the Kiwanis Club in Overland Park, Kansas. During his presidency he made contact with the Kiwanis Club in San Salvador, visiting with members there during one of his parish’s outreach trips to El Salvador. He toured the orphanage, medical clinic and other facilities that the Kiwanis Club opened and supported there.
John was an avid reader with a wide interest in religion, philosophy, science fiction, the classics, history, psychology, archeology and adventure. A lover of poetry, John wrote over 300 poems. He was fascinated with the universe, photography and nature. He loved retreats and hiking, especially in the Western US. A place held deep in his heart was Ring Lake Ranch in Wind River Country near Dubois, WY.
John is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mary. He was the proud father of two daughters, Doreen Stelling (David) and Erin White (Brian). John is survived by seven grandchildren who held a very special place in his heart, Kaley, Regan, Connor, Luke, Wesley, Matthew and Evan, three great grandchildren, sister, Trish (Marshall), brothers Michael (Sharon), Charles (Cindy), and Joe (Maureen) as well as many nieces and nephews. John was predeceased by his parents and his brother Jim (Fran).
The family is very thankful for the excellent physicians, nurses, and healthcare workers who have cared for John over the past fifteen years treating his cancers, heart disease and FTD. A special appreciation to family, friends and St. Stephen Catholic Community Outreach members who have provided much needed loving support and care over the past several years.
John was such a friendly and good-hearted person. He will be missed by all. A funeral service will be held for John on Friday, May 14, 2021 at 1 PM at St. Stephen Catholic Community, Winter Springs, FL. Reception to follow. In lieu of flowers please consider donations to: St. Stephen Catholic Community Outreach ministry, 575 Tuskawilla Rd., Winter Springs, FL 32708; Frontotemporal Dementia, www.theaftd.org; and Ring Lake Ranch, https://ringlake.org.
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John was born June 25, 1941 in Bridgeport, CT to John Anthony O’Connor and Bessie Mae O’Connor. John’s family relocated to Tampa, FL where he graduated from Jesuit High School in 1959. John received his AA degree from St. Leo College in 1961. An athlete, John played football, basketball and ran track and field. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1963 with a BBA degree and was a “Fighting Irish” fan for life!
John received his certification as an Internal Auditor in 1973. He earned an MBA from Rockhurst University in 1998. Later in life John attended USF and became a Certified Grant Writer. He was president of Grant Professionals Network in Orlando, FL and a proud member of Leadership Orlando (class #78).
John was actively involved in his Catholic parish in Kansas City, MO as well as outreach in the greater Kansas City community. His parish ministry included being a lector, usher and driver of the parish van to transport older adults to Sunday Mass. He served on the outreach team to El Salvador participating in sister parish trips to San Salvador and outlying communities. John was also involved in a program supported by the Campaign for Human Development that worked as an interfaith committee to combat drug issues and gun violence in the central city of Kanas City. John also served on the Advisory Board of ReStart Inc., an interfaith ministry with homeless persons. He volunteered at the shelter one night a week welcoming guests, serving food and visiting with guests. He was active in Junior Achievement, serving on the board, and was president of the Kiwanis Club in Overland Park, Kansas. During his presidency he made contact with the Kiwanis Club in San Salvador, visiting with members there during one of his parish’s outreach trips to El Salvador. He toured the orphanage, medical clinic and other facilities that the Kiwanis Club opened and supported there.
John was an avid reader with a wide interest in religion, philosophy, science fiction, the classics, history, psychology, archeology and adventure. A lover of poetry, John wrote over 300 poems. He was fascinated with the universe, photography and nature. He loved retreats and hiking, especially in the Western US. A place held deep in his heart was Ring Lake Ranch in Wind River Country near Dubois, WY.
John is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mary. He was the proud father of two daughters, Doreen Stelling (David) and Erin White (Brian). John is survived by seven grandchildren who held a very special place in his heart, Kaley, Regan, Connor, Luke, Wesley, Matthew and Evan, three great grandchildren, sister, Trish (Marshall), brothers Michael (Sharon), Charles (Cindy), and Joe (Maureen) as well as many nieces and nephews. John was predeceased by his parents and his brother Jim (Fran).
The family is very thankful for the excellent physicians, nurses, and healthcare workers who have cared for John over the past fifteen years treating his cancers, heart disease and FTD. A special appreciation to family, friends and St. Stephen Catholic Community Outreach members who have provided much needed loving support and care over the past several years.
John was such a friendly and good-hearted person. He will be missed by all. A funeral service will be held for John on Friday, May 14, 2021 at 1 PM at St. Stephen Catholic Community, Winter Springs, FL. Reception to follow. In lieu of flowers please consider donations to: St. Stephen Catholic Community Outreach ministry, 575 Tuskawilla Rd., Winter Springs, FL 32708; Frontotemporal Dementia, www.theaftd.org; and Ring Lake Ranch, https://ringlake.org.
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