Francis Joseph "Fran" O’Connor, 77, of Uxbridge, passed away January 23rd surrounded by his family.
He leaves four children: Lynn Phelan and her husband Joe, of Worcester; Cynthia Ciavarra and her husband Lou, of ",Westborough; Caryn O’Connor and her partner Mike Holden, of Auburn; and Matt O’Connor and wife Tracy, of Studio City, CA. He also leaves nine grandchildren: Joseph Fiore; Michaela Barrette and her partner Jay Hayston; Sam Fiore and his wife Kelly; Kevin (Buzz) Barrette and his wife Jenn; Molly O’Connor; Casey Fiore and his wife Austen; Mia and Cara Ciavarra; and Eden O’Connor. He also leaves his brother, George O’Connor, and his wife Barbara. He was predeceased by his best friend and wife of 53 years, Christine (Jaworski) O’Connor, his parents George and Rose (Cotton) O’Connor, his brothers Edward and James, and his sisters Dorothy, Gertrude, Mildred and June.
Basketball was Fran’s sport. In 1958, he played center for Sacred Heart’s CYO-league championship team. After graduating from South High in Worcester, he had 35-year career with United Parcel Service, but his life’s ambition and greatest accomplishment was marrying Chris and having a family with her. The couple married in 1961, but their romance began years earlier, growing up in the Four Corners neighborhood of Worcester. They were bound together for life by unconditional love. Fran’s heart broke when he lost Chris in 2015, but he continued to embrace life, taking up Chris’s role as the hub of the family, and he was never happier than when his kids and grandkids and all of their husbands, wives, boyfriends and girlfriends were gathered around his dinner table.
Fran was a history buff who enjoyed watching British crime dramas, as well as an avid New England sports fan, especially the Celtics and Patriots. Most of all, he was a dedicated grandpa who reveled in joking with his grandkids as well as attending their games, shows and concerts. He also found great comfort and meaning in prayer. He never prayed for himself but instead prayed daily for the people he loved, a list that was several pages long. He was generous with hugs, kisses and praise and always made a point of letting his kids and grandkids know how proud he was of them and how lucky he considered himself to have them. His comforting, loving presence will be missed.
The family would like to express thanks to everyone at Rose Monahan Hospice in Worcester. Their care and concern during Fran’s last days provided the entire family comfort. They also wish to thank Jan of VNA Hospice for her humor, compassion and kindness, and Kayleigh, whose every visit was a blessing to Fran and always made his face light up.
His funeral is Friday, January 26th with a Mass at 11:00 a.m. in Sacred Heart-St. Catherine Church, 600 Cambridge Street. (Please meet at church). Fran's calling hours are Thursday, January 25th from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. in O'CONNOR BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, 592 Park Avenue. His burial will be private. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to The Jimmy Fund, 10 Brookline Place, West Brookline, MA 02445-7226.