Obituary of William J O'Connor

William J. O’Connor, 83, of Little Egg Harbor, NJ passed away at home on Thursday March 23, 2017 after 14 months of bravely fighting pancreatic cancer. Bill was born at Old Chapel Ground in Arklow, Co. Wicklow, Ireland where he grew up and went to school. Following his shipwright apprenticeship with the firm of John Tyrell & Sons, he immigrated to the United States in 1960. In 1963 he returned to Arklow where he married Myra O’Reilly. They resided in the Bronx, NY with their two children, Brendan and Kathleen before moving to Manalapan, NJ in 1970 where a second son, Russell, was born. Bill lived in Manalapan for thirty-six years and was a communicant of St. Thomas More R.C. Church, as well as a CCD teacher. He worked as a carpenter with the New York City District Council of Carpenters until his retirement. Bill was a founding member and past President of The County Wicklow Society, and was also a member of The MidAtlantic Division of The Monmouth Battleground Chorus, The Yorktowne Club, and the Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed all sports, especially golf and tennis. He served as Commissioner of the Manalapan Football Conference and coached the Bengals of the Manalapan Youth Football Association and served as an umpire for Manalapan Little League. In 2006, Bill moved to Sea Oaks, Little Egg Harbor, NJ and became a communicant of St. Theresa’s R.C. Church. Bill was predeceased by his parents, James and Catherine O’Connor, his dear wife, Myra, and his sister, Sheila Barnes. He is survived by his loving and devoted partner, Ann Walsh of Little Egg Harbor, with whom he enjoyed many happy years; his much loved and cherished children and grandchildren; Brendan, his wife Kendra and their daughter Riley of Middletown, NJ; Kathleen and her husband Steve Beyer of Jersey City, NJ; and Russell, his wife Lisa and their children Aidan and Teagan of Waxhaw, NC; his dear sisters, Kathleen Brauders and Breda Fitzgerald of Arklow, Ireland; many nieces, nephews, family members and longtime friends in Ireland, along with numerous friends here in the United States. Bill was a true gentleman, a strong family man, and a loyal friend to everyone. He will be greatly missed. Visitation will be held on Monday March 27, 2017 from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm and on Tuesday March 28, 2017 from 9:15am to 10:15am at Maxwell Funeral Home, 160 Mathistown Road, Little Egg Harbor, NJ 08087. A Funeral Mass will take place on Tuesday March 28, 2017 at 11 am at St. Theresa’s Church, 450 Radio Road, Little Egg Harbor, NJ. Donations may be made to the National Children’s Cancer Society at http://thenccs.org/donate . For condolences, please go to www.maxwellfuneralhome.com