Neil O'Connor

Neil O’Connor, 78, of Alexandria, VA., formerly of Swiftwater, PA, passed away on Saturday, January 24, 2015, at home. He was born in Staten Island, NY on March 13, 1936. He was preceded in death by his parents; Patrick J. and Alice (Boyle) O’Connor. Both his parents were born in Ireland.

He was the loving husband of Margaret “Peggy” (Caulfield) O’Connor of Alexandria, VA. They celebrated their 54rd wedding anniversary on September 3rd, 2014. Neil was a member of the St. Lawrence the Martyr Roman Catholic Church, Alexandria, VA for the past ten years. Previously, he was a member of St. Mary of the Mount, Roman Catholic Church, Mt. Pocono, PA from 1973 to 2005.

Neil attended schools in the Bronx, NY and was then employed as a high pressure boiler operator in Manhattan, NY for many years. Upon relocating to the Pocono Mountains, PA in the 1970s, he was the owner/operator of a residential and commercial painting company and was employed by several Pocono area resorts. Neil was an avid fan of boxing, the New York Yankees, and Penn State football. He loved reading history, New York delis, walking, and spending time with his grand-children. Upon retirement, he relocated to Northern Virginia.

In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his brother, Patrick O’Connor, and his sister, Mary B. Stefans. Neil is survived by his wife, Margaret (Peggy) O’Connor and their three children: Patrick J. O’Connor of Alexandria, VA; Peggy A. Kosior, and her husband Joseph of Edwardsville, PA; and Neil O’Connor, and his wife Maureen, of San Mateo, CA. All three of his children were graduates of Pocono Central Catholic High School, Cresco, PA. He was the proud grandfather of five grandchildren: Alan and Erin Peterson of Wyoming Valley, PA; Margaret and William O’Connor of Alexandria, VA; and Kate O’Connor of San Mateo, CA.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in Saint Lawrence the Martyr Roman Catholic Church, 6222 Franconia Road, Alexandria, VA on Saturday, February 7, 2015 at 1:30 p.m. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, February 6, 2015 at the Demaine Funeral Home, 520 South Washington Street, Alexandria, Va.