Lt Col (Ret) Clarence “Kelly” O’Connor, 85, of Manchester, NH died April 22, 2006 at a local healthcare facility.
He was born in Cumberland, ME, on June 25, 1920, the son of George and Lydia O’Connor. He attended St. Joseph High School, class of 1937 and graduated from Saint Anselm College in 1941.
After graduation from college, Mr. O’Connor served as a Command Pilot in the US Air Force during WWII. During WWII, he flew B-17s out of New Guinea. Following the War, he entered the Air Force Reserves and flew P-47s, C-119s, and C-124s. He retired as Lt Col after nearly 34 years of military service and over 5,000 flying hours in 27 aircraft. Among other awards, he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross and WWII Campaign Medal.
Prior to retirement, he had been employed as a State Probation Officer for over 30 years.
Mr. O’Connor was former president of the Hillsborough County Law Enforcement Association as well as The Retired Officer Association, NH Chapter.
He was a longtime communicant of St. Joseph Cathedral and served as the Parish Council President.
Members of his family include his wife of 61 years, Eleanor (St. Pierre) O’Connor of Manchester; five sons, Dennis, Gary, and Kevin O’Connor, all of Manchester, Kelly O’Connor of Texas, and Brian O’Connor of Washington, DC; three daughters, Linda Beaudette of Aurora, CO, Maureen McQuaid of Manchester, and Kathleen O’Connor of Northfield; eleven grandchildren; one great-grandchild; two sisters, Lydia Kennedy and Katherine St. Pierre, both of Worcestor, MA; nephews and nieces.
A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated in St. Joseph Cathedral on Wednesday April 26, 2006. Burial followed in St. Joseph Cemetery, Bedford.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of NH, 10 Ferry St, Concord, NH, 03301.