Fr. James J. O\'Connor

Fr. James J. Oâ€™Connor, age 91, passed away on Tuesday, December 4, 2007 at St. Anne Home in Fort Wayne. He was born August 27, 1916 in Gary, IN. He graduated from Holy Angels School, Gary, IN, St. Joseph College, Rensselaer, IN and Sulpician Theological Seminary, Catholic University of America, Washington DC (Basselin Scholarship). He was ordained to the Priesthood on June 6, 1943 at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception, Fort Wayne, IN by Bishop John F. Noll. He was a teacher at Central Catholic High School from 1943 to 1953. On July 8, 1943 he was appointed Assistant-St. Bridget Church, Hobart, IN; July 3, 1952 appointed Assistant-St. John the Baptist Church, Fort Wayne, IN; June 15,1960, appointed Pastor-St. Francis Xavier Church, Pierceton, IN: June 15, 1962, appointed Pastor-St. Mary Church in Huntington, IN; June 11, 1962 appointed Diocesan â€œCensor Libroriumâ€; June 20, 1962 appointed to serve on Diocesan Church Music Commission; July 1, 1968 appointed Pastor-St. Henry Church, Fort Wayne, IN; September 1, 1991 he retired. He was blessed with a tremendous sense of humor. â€œSpiritually he loved the Priesthood and being a Priest.â€ â€œHe was a very special man of God. very priestly & prayerful, he loved being an educator and enjoyed teaching.â€ â€œHe was active and worked with the Christian Family Life Movement.â€ Survivors include sisters, Therese Oâ€™Connor of Merrillville, IN, Sister James Marie SSND of â€œRockford, IL; cousins, Mrs. Emmett (Jean) Oâ€™Connor of Merrillville, IN Mr. & Mrs. Robert Oâ€™Connor both of Pennsylvania, Mrs. Eileen LaMay of Florida, Mrs. Jean Ringsdorf of Pennsylvania, Bonnie & Dan Oâ€™Connell of New York; and former secretary of 40 years, Genevieve Kasper of Columbia City. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, December 7, 2007 at 10:30 a.m. at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 1122 S. Clinton St., Ft. Wayne, IN Bishop John Dâ€™Arcy officiating. Visitation will be at the church on Thursday from 3 â€“ 8 p.m. and on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. Rosary will be held Thursday at 5 pm and Vigil service at 7:30 p.m. Arrangements by Mungovan & Sons Memorial Chapel in Ft. Wayne. IN. A visitation will be held locally at Burns Funeral Home, 10101 Broadway, Crown Point, IN on Saturday, December 8, 2007 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. with a funeral service at 1:00 pm. Interment at Calvary Cemetery in Portage, IN. Memorial to Another Christ Burse (Education Fund for Seminarian Diocese of Gary) or Masses.

Fr. James J. O\'Connor

August 27, 1916 - December 4, 2007