SPRINGFIELD - John Patrick O'Connor, 91, of the Mason Wright Apartments in Springfield was Called Safely Home on Wednesday, December 17, 2025. He passed into Eternal Life at his home surrounded by all the memories he loved and cherished. John was born in Springfield on December 18, 1933, a beloved son of the late John Gerald O'Connor and Alma Mary (Metayer) O'Connor. He was raised on El Paso and Redlands Streets in East Springfield and lived there for most of his life. John graduated from Cathedral High School and furthered his education and was a graduate of Holy Cross College in Worcester. In his early years, he taught Latin at a private school in New York, and then worked with his dad as a wholesale meat supplier. He was last employed as a Genealogist at the Springfield Library and Museums and also wrote a Genealogy Column which appeared in the Springfield Republican for many years. He was a longtime communicant of the former Saint Mary Church in East Springfield. He leaves many cousins including a special cousin, Patricia T. Poehler. A Graveside Service of Committal will be held on Wednesday afternoon, January 7, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. in Saint Martha Section at Saint Michael Cemetery, 1601 State Street, Springfield, MA 01109. There are no visiting hours. St. Pierre - Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, (413-737-1177), 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107 has been entrusted with his arrangements. For more details and to leave his family condolence messages, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com
