Obituary for Thomas J. O'Connor Jr.
Thomas J. O’Connor, Jr., 87, a 56-year resident of Chelmsford, MA, passed away peacefully surrounded by those he loved most on Friday, June 4th, 2021. He was the beloved husband of Helen (Beers) O’Connor, with whom he enjoyed 46 wonderful, enchanted years of marriage.
Tom spent his childhood in Worcester where he graduated from St. Peter’s High School in 1951. He received his Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Chemical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (1961). He proudly served his country as a member of the US Army in the 82nd Airborne from 1954 to1956.
Tom was hired by AVCO/Textron Systems Corporation in 1961 and remained there for his entire career. Contributing to NASA’s Apollo missions was among Tom’s proudest professional accomplishments. He was well regarded for his expertise in his field, notably with Carbon-Carbon technology, and continued consulting for Textron after his retirement in 1998.
Tom and his wife Helen moved to Chelmsford in 1964, and made many lifelong friends in the community. He was an active member of St. Mary Parish until his passing, where he served as a CCD teacher and greeter for many years. He volunteered in numerous organizations, including the girl’s youth softball league. He was an accomplished bowler at Alpine Lanes and with his AVCO teammates. He found true enjoyment in being surrounded by family and friends and looked forward to O’Connor Clan summer vacations. His grandchildren adored him, and he taught them the importance of loyalty, integrity, dedication and how to appreciate the richness of life. He was the proudest Grampy at many events.
Tom was incredibly proud of his Irish heritage and cherished visits with relatives in Ireland. He loved spending time with family, sharing stories, traveling, singing, and dancing. He is remembered for his kindness, generosity, intelligence, wit and ability to make everyone feel welcome, valued and loved. He was a true romantic and history buff, and was adventurous and inquisitive about the world. If he had favorites among his children and grandchildren he never showed it, he loved each of them equally and without reservation. He celebrated their individual personalities and their unique natures, capabilities and achievements. He was a wonderful father, Grampy and Great-Grampy. His relationship with his brothers was special, and the stories he shared of their youth are priceless. He had a life well lived.
Tom is predeceased by his father Thomas J. O’Connor Sr. and mother Mary O’Connor, originally of Killorglin, County Kerry, Ireland; and his siblings Francis O’Connor (Jean), John O’Connor and Mary O’Connor. He is survived by his brother Walter O’Connor (Suzanne), sister-in-law Karen O’Connor, and cousin Rita Raczynski. Tom’s loving and devoted wife, Helen (Beers) O’Connor, passed away in 2008. He will be greatly missed by his children: Maryrose O’Connor, Kathleen O’Connor (Don DiBona), Thomas E. O’Connor (Laura), Julie Daly (Thomas), Patricia O'Connor-Kettlestrings (John), and John (Jack) O’Connor (Kelly). Cherished grandchildren include: Stephen (Natalie), Alicia, and Joseph Espinola; Shelagh, Tara and Alannah Daly; Aine and Kieran Knott; Alexandra and Olivia O’Connor; Paul and Sean Kettlestrings; and Charlotte and Molly O’Connor. He was incredibly proud to welcome his first great-grandchild, Teigan Espinola, in 2020. Tom also leaves behind extended family members, Jeffrey, Tracy, Kayla and Abbey Delaney, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He will be greatly missed by his dear friend, Helen Hanafin, and her family. He and Helen enjoyed ten wonderful years of companionship and adventure.
Visiting hours will be held on Thursday 4-7 PM at Blake Chelmsford Funeral Home, 24 Worthen Street, Chelmsford. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday at 11 AM at St. Mary Parish, 25 North Road, Chelmsford. KINDLY MEET AT THE CHURCH. Interment will follow at Pine Ridge Cemetery, 130 Billerica Road, Chelmsford. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Thomas’ name to the Jimmy Fund, ℅ Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 10 Brookline Place West, 6th Floor, Brookline, MA 02445-7226. ATTN: Contribution Services.
Tom spent his childhood in Worcester where he graduated from St. Peter’s High School in 1951. He received his Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Chemical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (1961). He proudly served his country as a member of the US Army in the 82nd Airborne from 1954 to1956.
Tom was hired by AVCO/Textron Systems Corporation in 1961 and remained there for his entire career. Contributing to NASA’s Apollo missions was among Tom’s proudest professional accomplishments. He was well regarded for his expertise in his field, notably with Carbon-Carbon technology, and continued consulting for Textron after his retirement in 1998.
Tom and his wife Helen moved to Chelmsford in 1964, and made many lifelong friends in the community. He was an active member of St. Mary Parish until his passing, where he served as a CCD teacher and greeter for many years. He volunteered in numerous organizations, including the girl’s youth softball league. He was an accomplished bowler at Alpine Lanes and with his AVCO teammates. He found true enjoyment in being surrounded by family and friends and looked forward to O’Connor Clan summer vacations. His grandchildren adored him, and he taught them the importance of loyalty, integrity, dedication and how to appreciate the richness of life. He was the proudest Grampy at many events.
Tom was incredibly proud of his Irish heritage and cherished visits with relatives in Ireland. He loved spending time with family, sharing stories, traveling, singing, and dancing. He is remembered for his kindness, generosity, intelligence, wit and ability to make everyone feel welcome, valued and loved. He was a true romantic and history buff, and was adventurous and inquisitive about the world. If he had favorites among his children and grandchildren he never showed it, he loved each of them equally and without reservation. He celebrated their individual personalities and their unique natures, capabilities and achievements. He was a wonderful father, Grampy and Great-Grampy. His relationship with his brothers was special, and the stories he shared of their youth are priceless. He had a life well lived.
Tom is predeceased by his father Thomas J. O’Connor Sr. and mother Mary O’Connor, originally of Killorglin, County Kerry, Ireland; and his siblings Francis O’Connor (Jean), John O’Connor and Mary O’Connor. He is survived by his brother Walter O’Connor (Suzanne), sister-in-law Karen O’Connor, and cousin Rita Raczynski. Tom’s loving and devoted wife, Helen (Beers) O’Connor, passed away in 2008. He will be greatly missed by his children: Maryrose O’Connor, Kathleen O’Connor (Don DiBona), Thomas E. O’Connor (Laura), Julie Daly (Thomas), Patricia O'Connor-Kettlestrings (John), and John (Jack) O’Connor (Kelly). Cherished grandchildren include: Stephen (Natalie), Alicia, and Joseph Espinola; Shelagh, Tara and Alannah Daly; Aine and Kieran Knott; Alexandra and Olivia O’Connor; Paul and Sean Kettlestrings; and Charlotte and Molly O’Connor. He was incredibly proud to welcome his first great-grandchild, Teigan Espinola, in 2020. Tom also leaves behind extended family members, Jeffrey, Tracy, Kayla and Abbey Delaney, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He will be greatly missed by his dear friend, Helen Hanafin, and her family. He and Helen enjoyed ten wonderful years of companionship and adventure.
Visiting hours will be held on Thursday 4-7 PM at Blake Chelmsford Funeral Home, 24 Worthen Street, Chelmsford. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday at 11 AM at St. Mary Parish, 25 North Road, Chelmsford. KINDLY MEET AT THE CHURCH. Interment will follow at Pine Ridge Cemetery, 130 Billerica Road, Chelmsford. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Thomas’ name to the Jimmy Fund, ℅ Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 10 Brookline Place West, 6th Floor, Brookline, MA 02445-7226. ATTN: Contribution Services.