Obituary of John J. "Jack" O'Connor, Jr.

John J. “Jack” O’Connor Jr.,68, Peabody Fire Department Captain, Ret., husband of Janet V. (Schecowicz) O’Connor of Peabody and the late Cecille M. “Bette” O’Connor, died on Saturday May 5, 2007 following a long battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his family. Mr. O’Connor was born on November 16, 1938, son of the late John J. and Elizabeth I. (Steeves) O’Connor. He was raised in Peabody and graduated from Peabody High School Class of 1956. He then enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1956 and served with the 380th Organizational Maintenance Squadron SAC until his receiving his Honorable Discharge on June 28, 1960. Mr. O’Connor joined the City of Peabody Fire Department as a Firefighter on February 3,1964. Throughout his tenure with the department, he pursued his education at N.S. Community College in Fire Prevention and eventually obtained the rank of Captain, a position he held until his retirement on October 31, 1996. While serving on the department, he also did house painting and maintenance work at The Inn-Between. Following his retirement he worked with the grounds crew maintenance department at the Salem Country Club all in Peabody. He was a communicant of St. John the Baptist Church, enjoyed traveling and was an avid golfer. In addition to his wife Janet of Peabody, he is survived by his children and their spouses, John L. and Enilse O’Connor of Beverly and Mary E. "Beth" and Scott McCasland of Utica NY; his sisters, Claire Lucier of Danvers, Loretta O’Connor of Brookline and Katherine O’Connor of CA; his cherished grandson, John M. O’Connor of Beverly; his mother-in-law, Helene (Sullivan) Schecowicz of Woburn and many nieces and nephews. A brother Richard O’Connor pre deceased him. His funeral will be held on Wednesday May 9, 2007 at 10 a.m. from the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St., Peabody followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. in St. John the Baptist Church, 16 Church St., Peabody. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Visiting hours Tuesday 4 to 8 p.m. Burial in Puritan Lawn Memorial Cemetery, Peabody. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to MGH, C/O Development Office for Ellison 14 Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, 100 Charles River Plaza, Suite 600, Boston MA 02114.