Thomas P. O’Connor, 103, a long-time resident of Lowell, Ma. and recent resident of York, Me., passed away Sunday, December 12, peacefully at home surrounded by his family.
He was the husband of the late Helen E. (Dunlay) O’Connor to whom he was married for 57 years. Tom was deeply devoted to Helen during their time together. He was a long-time communicant of St. Margaret’s Church in Lowell. His faith and prayer were especially important to him.
He was born in Lowell, Dec. 3, 1918, son of the late John and Margaret Theresa (Cryan) O’Connor. He was educated at Sacred Heart School and graduated from Lowell High School. He was the brother of the late William and John O’Connor, Margaret Battle and Mary Gavin. Tom always remembered with love and gratitude how his sister Margaret raised him after the death of his mother when he was six years old.
Tom served in the Army during World War II. He served from January 1942-December 1945. He was part of the Greatest Generation and was proud to serve. He was often seen wearing his World War II Veteran hat with pride.
Tom was an avid Boston sports fan. A good day was when he could watch a Red Sox game in the afternoon and a Bruins game at night.
Before retiring in 1983, Tom was employed by the State of Massachusetts MCI Concord as a carpenter foreman.
Uncle Tom was a dedicated adoring uncle to his family. He enjoyed his time with his family whether it was at their summer home in York, Me., family events in Lowell or St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in Chelmsford. To Uncle Tom, being with family was everything. To his family, being with him was uplifting. Even those who were not family called him Uncle Tom. He was an uncle to all.
Uncle Tom will be dearly missed by his many nieces and nephews including Jacqueline and Thomas (who is also his cousin) Cryan of Lowell/York, Me., Bernard and June Battle of Chelmsford, Ma, John and Maryanne of Pepperell, MA, Roberta and Roger Levasseur of Pelham, NH., Mary Eileen and Walter Bindas of Dracut, Ma., Theresa Lillis of Connecticut and Michael Gavin of Florida. He is also survived by four grandnieces including, Kim Peck and her husband Chuck, Sharon Perry and her husband Ernest, Judith Ahrikenchikh and her husband Mostafa and Patricia Simmons and her husband Kenneth; a grandnephew Thomas Cryan Jr. and his wife Wendi; ten great-grandnieces and nephews. He is also survived by many other grandnieces and nephews and great-grandnieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank Dr. Joel Keenan of York, ME for his exceptional care for Uncle Tom as well as his caregivers, Susan Allard, Joyce Dow, Patty Hartford, Penny Jacques, Genai O’Brien, Kendra Stratton, and Stephanie Vasile.
In accordance with the City of Lowell mandate, masks are required, on Friday, December 17, 2021 all are welcome to attend his calling hours from 9-11 a.m. at the McDonough Funeral Home, 14 Highland Street, Lowell, MA 978-458-6816. His funeral Mass will be offered at 12 noon at St. Margaret of Scotland Parish, 374 Stevens Street, Lowell, followed by burial at St. Patrick Cemetery in Lowell.
His Funeral will be streamed at 12 noon at McDonough Funeral Home Facebook for viewing live or after services are completed.