Gerald “Jerry” C. O’Connor, CDR, CHC, USN (Ret.) passed away at age 83 on January 7, 2015 in Jacksonville, FL. He was born in NYC, NY on Sept. 25, 1931 to Charles O’Connor and Catherine Glynn O’Connor, both from County Roscommon, Ireland. He was raised in Jersey City, NJ. Upon graduation from Providence College, he entered the Dominican Order-The Order of Preachers. He was ordained a Dominican priest in 1958.
In 1970 he was commissioned in the US Navy. As a Catholic Chaplain, some of his assignments included USS Oriskany, USS Nimitz, postgraduate study at Catholic Univ., MACS Iwakuni, Japan. In Jacksonville he served at NAS Cecil Field, NAS Jax, NAVSTA Mayport, and NAS Jax Hospital retiring in 1993. In 1997 he married Sachi Ogawa in Wash. DC officiated by Fr. Dave O’Connor, Trinitarian.
He cherished the priesthood throughout his Dominican life and Navy Chaplaincy, Irish Catholic heritage and married life. He is survived by his wife, Sachi; sisters, Noreen Jones (Tom), and Cathleen Walling; brother, Patrick (Christine); and numerous nieces and nephews.
A Funeral Mass will be concelebrated on Saturday, January 24, at 11:00am at St. Joseph’s Historical Catholic Church, 11730 Old St Augustine Rd, officiated by Fr. Bernard Ahern and Fr. William Kelly. A reception will follow at Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home of Mandarin.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Jerry’s name may be made to the charity of your choice. Please visit our online guest book to leave a tribute at www.hgmandarin.com.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home of Mandarin 11801 San Jose Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32223 www.hgmandarin.com (904)288-0025
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