BEVERLY: Thomas J. O’Connor, 72, died Friday, July 31, 2009 in the Melrose-Wakefield Hospital following an extended illness.
Born in Cambridge in October 17, 1936, he was the son of the late Thomas J. O’Connor and Louise (Welch) O’Connor.
Tom was employed as a press photographer from the age of 15 until his retirement at age 65. He was originally employed by the United Press International News Photos for over ten years. He then freelanced for the Beverly Times and Salem Evening News as well as all the Boston newspapers. He assisted many local police and fire departments on over two hundred investigations, before the departments had court certified photographers. He also worked for the Registry of Motor Vehicles in Boston for twenty years.
He was a member of the Lions Clubs International, Massachusetts District 33N as well as a club member in Beverly, Topsfield and Salem for over forty years. He held a position in the District Cabinet for thirty-five years as a photographer for fifty-five clubs. He was also a member of the Massachusetts Lions District 33N Visual Aids Foundation, Inc. for twenty years, where he served as its President for nine years. The Beverly Lions Club presented him with the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award during the Presidency of Steven Atherton.
He is survived by two sons, Dr. Thomas J. O’Connor and his wife, Dr. Mary Lisa Smyth of Rockport, ME and David O’Connor of Orlando, FL,
two grandchildren, Thomas O’Connor and James O’Connor both of Rockport, ME and a niece, Lauren Bateman of Flower Mound, TX. He was also predeceased by two sisters, Margaret O’Connor and Helen Sheehan Johnson.
His funeral Mass will be held on Friday morning in the St. Mary Star of the Sea Church, 253 Cabot St., Beverly at 11 a.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. There are no visiting hours. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the Lions Clubs International Foundation, Dept. 4547, Carol Stream, IL 60122-4547 (wwww.lionsclubs.org). Interment will be held in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Salem.