Obituary for John J. O'Connor Jr.
John J. O’Connor, Jr. of Commack, a most loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather, entered God’s kingdom on April 7, 2023. He was 80.
Born in Long Island City, Queens, on Jan. 5, 1943, to Mary and John O’Connor Sr., John grew up in the Greenpoint neighborhood of Brooklyn and graduated from Saint Francis Preparatory High School. Soon after, John joined the New York Police Department to serve his local community, and follow the path of his father and previous generations of O’Connors. During his more than 34 years of service to New York City, John proved himself a man of true integrity and courage, never wavering under any circumstances. That’s why his chosen profession fit like a glove. He spent his first five years in the 13th Precinct in Manhattan before moving to the Bronx. In the 43rd Precinct, he was awarded a promotion to Sergeant in 1973. He spent the majority of his remaining years on the force in the 40th Precinct where he was promoted to Lieutenant in 1983. At the end of his career, he had a short stopover with Motor Transport as the ICO before retiring from the 115th Precinct in 1998.
In 1958 at age 15, John met the love of his life, the woman who would stand by his side through thick and thin, Theresa. They began dating in 1964 and married in 1968. They settled in Bayside and after 10 years, a much-loved son arrived. They then moved to Commack when their son, John, was 13 months old and quickly settled into suburban life.
John was an avid sports fan, playing basketball and baseball at Saint Francis Prep. He enjoyed watching his beloved Yankees play every night, and was always up for watching any live sport on television. This interest extended to his local community, where he coached his son in Little League and travel baseball, along with CYO basketball in the winter. After his son graduated from high school, John stayed involved with baseball as the assistant coach for the Suffolk County PAL Rangers, an All-Star travel team that played tournaments across the United States. He also served as Suffolk County PAL Baseball Commissioner for a number of years. Around the age of 50, he started playing golf, a sport he swore he would never play. He enjoyed it so much that he would drive out to the Douglaston Golf Course in Queens to play every Saturday morning with his brother, Kevin, and other friends.
In his later years, John devoted his time and energy to an even more exciting activity: spending time with his grandson, who he affectionately called Little Moose. They would often sit together watching history documentaries, and he loved watching him splash around in the pool.
Anyone who met John quickly learned that he was a pleasure to be around. He had the personality and natural charisma to make friends in any situation. To quote his favorite song, “Piano Man,” he was always “quick with a joke, or to light up your smoke.” A man of many stories, John loved to talk about his time on the police force or teaching others about the Civil War or World War II from the numerous books he read on the subjects. He was always there for others, whether it be a late-night pickup or a last-minute favor. John could always be counted on in the clutch.
John was a truly great man whose impact will be forever felt by his family and friends, who love him dearly. He was a selfless man, whose passing left an unfillable gap in the hearts of his loved ones. His ability to sacrifice, provide, support, forgive, and love will live forever in the memories of everyone who knew him.
John is survived by his wife, Theresa; son, John III; daughter-in-law, Joanna; grandson, John IV; brother, Kevin; sister-in-law, Eileen; nephews Kevin, Thomas and Brian; and niece, Eileen.
The visitation will take place at 4 p.m. on April 12 at Clayton Funeral Home, 25 Meadow Road, Kings Park, N.Y.
Born in Long Island City, Queens, on Jan. 5, 1943, to Mary and John O’Connor Sr., John grew up in the Greenpoint neighborhood of Brooklyn and graduated from Saint Francis Preparatory High School. Soon after, John joined the New York Police Department to serve his local community, and follow the path of his father and previous generations of O’Connors. During his more than 34 years of service to New York City, John proved himself a man of true integrity and courage, never wavering under any circumstances. That’s why his chosen profession fit like a glove. He spent his first five years in the 13th Precinct in Manhattan before moving to the Bronx. In the 43rd Precinct, he was awarded a promotion to Sergeant in 1973. He spent the majority of his remaining years on the force in the 40th Precinct where he was promoted to Lieutenant in 1983. At the end of his career, he had a short stopover with Motor Transport as the ICO before retiring from the 115th Precinct in 1998.
In 1958 at age 15, John met the love of his life, the woman who would stand by his side through thick and thin, Theresa. They began dating in 1964 and married in 1968. They settled in Bayside and after 10 years, a much-loved son arrived. They then moved to Commack when their son, John, was 13 months old and quickly settled into suburban life.
John was an avid sports fan, playing basketball and baseball at Saint Francis Prep. He enjoyed watching his beloved Yankees play every night, and was always up for watching any live sport on television. This interest extended to his local community, where he coached his son in Little League and travel baseball, along with CYO basketball in the winter. After his son graduated from high school, John stayed involved with baseball as the assistant coach for the Suffolk County PAL Rangers, an All-Star travel team that played tournaments across the United States. He also served as Suffolk County PAL Baseball Commissioner for a number of years. Around the age of 50, he started playing golf, a sport he swore he would never play. He enjoyed it so much that he would drive out to the Douglaston Golf Course in Queens to play every Saturday morning with his brother, Kevin, and other friends.
In his later years, John devoted his time and energy to an even more exciting activity: spending time with his grandson, who he affectionately called Little Moose. They would often sit together watching history documentaries, and he loved watching him splash around in the pool.
Anyone who met John quickly learned that he was a pleasure to be around. He had the personality and natural charisma to make friends in any situation. To quote his favorite song, “Piano Man,” he was always “quick with a joke, or to light up your smoke.” A man of many stories, John loved to talk about his time on the police force or teaching others about the Civil War or World War II from the numerous books he read on the subjects. He was always there for others, whether it be a late-night pickup or a last-minute favor. John could always be counted on in the clutch.
John was a truly great man whose impact will be forever felt by his family and friends, who love him dearly. He was a selfless man, whose passing left an unfillable gap in the hearts of his loved ones. His ability to sacrifice, provide, support, forgive, and love will live forever in the memories of everyone who knew him.
John is survived by his wife, Theresa; son, John III; daughter-in-law, Joanna; grandson, John IV; brother, Kevin; sister-in-law, Eileen; nephews Kevin, Thomas and Brian; and niece, Eileen.
The visitation will take place at 4 p.m. on April 12 at Clayton Funeral Home, 25 Meadow Road, Kings Park, N.Y.