Obituary of John Patrick O'Connor

John Patrick O’Connor of Maplewood, New Jersey passed away on November 26^th surrounded by his loving family. He was 89.

John was born and raised in East Orange, NJ to John and Grace O’Connor. He spent his early years in the rough and tumble world of a working-class city, yet he thrived and enjoyed a wonderful childhood guided by his parents and the “pack” he met on Norwood Street who would become lifelong friends.

John attended Seton Hall Preparatory School and went on to attend Seton Hall University where he graduated with a degree in Business Administration in 1959.

Immediately after graduation from college he joined the US Army as commissioned officer with plans to pursue a military career. John was then promoted to Lieutenant and was also an Army Ranger, becoming a skilled parachuter with many jumps to his name. He was honorably discharged in 1964 when he decided to pursue a career in business.

He met his future wife Patricia in 1958, and they were married in New York in 1967. They remained married for 57 years and enjoyed a loving marriage and true friendship that lasted until Patrica’s death in 2024.

In 1972 they relocated to Maplewood, N.J. to follow John’s career with Chubb and Son in New York City.

John joined Chubb and Son in 1964 and had a successful business career that spanned 35 years where he specialized in their Marine, Entertainment, and Equestrian insurance lines. His job required international travel, and as a result he developed a strong interest in other cultures. He retired in 1998.

Among his interests were reading, history (especially political and military), documentaries, sailing, jazz, and always being as close to the ocean as possible. He enjoyed a lifelong passion for saltwater fishing and was quite an angler. You would never find him wasting his time with home improvements projects, but if you happened by a stretch of sandy beach, you might see him casting his line. He passed that love of fishing to his son Daniel who will continue his father’s legacy.

He also had a great love for animals, and his dogs Goldie and Goliath were always nearby.

John and his family spent summers on Long Beach Island, NJ as well as making frequent trips upstate New York to visit Patricia’s large family. He was a long-time member of the Belmar Fishing Club and the Nassau Club of Princeton. He was an extraordinarily social person and would make friends wherever he went because of his brilliant sense of humor and his love of a stimulating conversation. He was not one for small talk.

Surviving John are his children John Jr. (Derek), Daniel (Kenin), and Michael as well as his granddaughter Molly Eleanor, who was the love and joy of his life. In addition to his family, he is survived by many in-laws, nieces, and nephews. He also leaves enduring friendships made during childhood as well as the close friends he made in the years he lived in Maplewood.

Services will be private per John’s wishes.

If you wish to make a donation in John’s name, please consider Donors Choose, a charity that supports children and teachers.