Daniel R. O'Connor

O’Connor considered himself the luckiest man around, often telling friends and family: “I am married to the most amazing woman in the world and have two beautiful daughters.”

He is survived by his wife, Susan, and two daughters, Mya and Lillian.

O’Connor was born May 3, 1976 in Detroit and raised in Redford, where he graduated from Redford Union High School in 1994. After a short stint with Kmart, he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2005. He served two tours in Iraq before retiring in 2012.

He was a squadron sergeant in the 4th Battalion, 42nd Field Artillery Regiment, when he was injured in Baghdad on a security patrol. A suicide bomber attacked his convoy, killing five fellow soldiers. Despite, suffering a traumatic brain injury, O’Connor persevered after his retirement. He attended college to become a social worker to help others. He had been working at a veteran center assisting many. Friends said O’Connor was known to have a gigantic heart, helping the homeless and anyone in need.

O’Connor was expected to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Social Work this winter. Wayne State University told his wife the degree will be awarded posthumously.

He was a member of the Deerhaven Hunt Club in Luzerne, Michigan.

In addition to his wife and daughters, O’Connor is survived by his parents, Mary (Paul) Wagar and Raymond (MaryAnn) O’Connor; sister, Darcy (Josh) Walters; bothers Paul (Heidi Hanson) Wagar, Jr., Michael (Maryanne) O’Connor, and Shawn (Stephanie) Watkins; many nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles, friends and fellow veterans, and his two faithful dogs, Taz and Sarge.

Visitation will be Wednesday, January 8, at Harry J. Will Funeral Home, 37000 Six Mile Road, beginning at 11 a.m. A service will be held at 7 p.m. Burial will be 9:30 a.m. Thursday, January 9, at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan with a luncheon following.