WEST SPRINGFIELD – Maurice J. “Moe” O’Connor, 81, of Monastery Heights in West Springfield, was Called Safely Home on Wednesday, March 20, 2013. He passed into Eternal Life at Mercy Medical Center in Springfield surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family and his wonderful caregivers. He was born in Springfield on September 14, 1931, a beloved son of the late Maurice and Mary (Evans) O’Connor. He was raised in Springfield on Franklin Street in the North End section of the city and graduated from Sacred Heart Elementary School and Cathedral High School. His family later moved to the Hungry Hill section of the city where he lived for many years. He lived in West Springfield for several years and later moved to Doverbrook Estates in Chicopee where he lived until moving to Monastery Heights in January of 2013. Moe enlisted in the United States Navy and served his country during the Korean War, attained the rank of Yeoman Petty Officer Third Class and received the European Navy Occupation Medal. Following his military service, he returned to Springfield and was employed for over 25 years at the former Standard Electric Time Company in Springfield. He joined the Machinist Local in Windsor Locks, Connecticut and was employed as a welder for over 20 years at Hamilton Standard in Windsor Locks, Connecticut. During his leisure time, Moe was often seen enjoying a game of cards with his many friends at the John Boyle O’Reilly Club in Springfield. He was a member of the Adriatic Club in Springfield. He was a communicant of the former Our Lady of Hope Church in Springfield as well as the former Immaculate Conception Church in West Springfield. He was currently a communicant of Sacred Heart Church in Springfield. Moe was a loving man who adored his family and showered them with his love and affection which was returned to him a thousand fold. He leaves his beloved wife and best friend, Janet A. (Piteo) O’Connor. They were married on August 4, 1956 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Springfield and were blessed with over 56 years of happiness together. He also leaves: his four loving children, Rory J. O’Connor and his wife, Irene Fuerst, of San Francisco, CA, Lynn P. St. Pierre and her husband, Philip, of Hebron, CT, Beth A. O’Connor of Easthampton and Michael M. O’Connor and his wife, Siobhan, of Windsor, CT; his six cherished grandchildren, Kerry and Phillip O’Connor, Melissa and Steven St. Pierre and Zachary and Addison O’Connor; his dear sister, Catherine “Kitty” Griffin of Florida; and his many dear nephews and nieces. Besides his parents, he was also predeceased by his dear brothers and sister, Michael, Thomas and William O’Connor and Mary Forni. His funeral will be held on Tuesday morning, March 26, 2013, beginning at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, (413-737-1177), 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107, (funeral home will open at 8 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. in Sacred Heart Church, 395 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA 01104. His Committal Service with Military Honors will follow the Mass at 11 a.m. in the Chapel at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam, MA 01001. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday, March 25, 2013, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. His family has requested that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Sacred Heart Church Renovation Fund, 395 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA 01104. For more details, please visit:www.stpierrephaneuf.com