Obituary of Joseph R O'Connor

Joseph R O'Connor March 19, 1917 - November 23, 2010 Joseph R. O’Connor, Joseph R. O'Connor, 93, formerly of Roselle, NJ, passed away on November 23, 2010 at the Cascades Assisted Living Center in Bethel, CT. He was the beloved husband of the late Rita (nee Jennings) O'Connor, and was a devoted father, loving grandfather and great-grandfather. Mr. O'Connor was born in Elizabeth, NJ on March 19, 1917, a son of the late Charles and Helen (Callahan) O'Connor. Mr. O'Connor was extremely active and participated in numerous civic and social organizations, including the Roselle Senior Citizens and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Association. He served as the first president of the Graselli Veterans Association, and was a lifetime member of the Disabled Veterans of America. An avid and accomplished dancer, Mr. O'Connor was well known on the senior dance circuit and attended a number of local dances weekly with his long-time companion, Betty Manfredo of Cranford, NJ. He was also an observant Catholic and a parishioner of St. Joseph's the Carpenter R.C., Roselle, NJ. Mr. O'Connor was employed by the GAF Corp. in Linden, NJ for over 40 years. He was owner and partner in the instrumentation firm of O'Connor & Heirdt. Mr. O'Connor was a highly decorated veteran of WW II and saw extensive combat action in the France, German and Austria theaters while serving as a First Lieutenant under Patton's 3rd Division Seventh Infantry Regiment, US Army. He was recognized for his valor and bravery and received numerous military decorations including the Silver Star, the nation's third highest award for combat valor; the Bronze Star for gallantry in action; two Purple Hearts with a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster for wounds received in France and Germany; the French Croix de Guerre Medal; the French Fourragere Award; the American Defense Medal; the American Campaign Medal; the European Campaign Medal with three Bronze Service Stars; the WWII Victory Medal; the German Occupation Medal; a Presidential Unit Citation; the Distinguished Service Medal from the State of New Jersey; the Combat Infantryman's Badge with Machine Gun and Rifleman's Bars; and a Good Conduct Medal. Mr. O'Connor served his country from 1941 to 1945. Mr. O'Connor is survived by their three children: Joseph C. O'Connor and his wife, Therese of Fairhope, AL; Carol Ann Grant and her husband Lester of Guilford, CT; and John T. O'Connor of Bethel, CT; six grandchildren: Kate Jennings Grant, Lester E. Grant, Jr., Karen O'Connor-Floman, Joseph L. O'Connor, Ryan P. O'Connor, and Christopher J. O'Connor. Great grandchildren include Oskar M. and William A. Floman and Joseph P. and Ann Margaret O'Connor and several nieces and nephews. Funeral Information A Graveside Service with full military honors will be held on Wednesday, December 1, 2010 at 1:00pm at St. Gertrude's Cemetery located at 53 Inman Ave, Colonia, NJ, 07067. Phone 877-301-3372. There are no calling hours. Donations Information In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to: Regional Hospice of Western Ct, 405 Main St., Danbury, CT 06810 or to the Disabled Veterans of America.