Obituary of Thomas J. O'Connor

O’Connor, Thomas Joseph, 89, from Waldwick, NJ, died peacefully on March 4, 2017, with family at his side. Born in Annascaul, Co. Kerry, Ireland on September 2, 1927 to John and Nora O’Connor, where he attended the Irish Christian Brothers in Dingle and played for the Kerry Minors football team. He emigrated to New York in 1948, where he met his beloved wife of 65 years, Virginia T. O’Connor (nee Fearon), who predeceased him in December. He was also predeceased by his siblings Sr. Ann Dolores and Michael O’Connor, both of Ireland. Tom was in the 101st Airborne Division as an MP during the Korean War. He retired from the Port Authority of NY and NJ in 1976. A resident of Waldwick for 60 years, he was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Duffers Club and a parishioner of St. Luke’s Church in Ho-Ho-Kus. He is survived by his loving children, sons Kevin and PJ of Waldwick, and daughter Kerry of Johns Creek, GA, son-in-law John and daughter-in-law Patricia, his beloved grandchildren Tommy, Mary, Patricia, Katie, Erin, Eileen, and John; his brother, Jack, of Annascaul and many nieces and nephews, including Sean O’Connor of NJ. The family will receive friends today, March 6th from 5-8pm at the Vander Plaat Funeral Home, 257 Godwin Ave. Wyckoff, NJ. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 7th, at 10am at St. Luke’s R.C. Church, 340 N. Franklin Tpke., Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ. Interment to follow at St. Luke’s Cemetery.