John G. (Oszie) O'Connor

WORCESTER - John G. “Oszie” O’Connor, 70, of Worcester, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully after a sudden illness on Sunday, March 23, 2025, in Saint Vincent’s Hospital lovingly surrounded by family and friends. Born in Limerick City, Ireland, to Seán and Joan (Horgan) O’Connor, he will be greatly missed by daughters Maeve O’Connor of West Boylston, MA and Sinéad O’Connor of Worcester, MA along with his beloved partner Maria Cristina Roche Costa, with whom he lived, and her children Rebecca Roche (Andrew Kerrigan) of Newton, MA and Alan Costa (Dayenne) of Malden, MA. Deeply saddened by his death is also Maeve and Sinéad’s mother Ann (Healy) O’Connor of West Boylston.

Oszie was the eldest of five children, a position in which he reveled, with brothers Brendan (Claire) of West Boylston, MA, Kevin (Penny) of Bunratty, Co. Clare, Ireland, Declan (Siobhán) of Mungret, Co. Limerick, Ireland and his only sister, Carmel Ryan (Kieran) of Limerick City, Ireland. Nephews Ciarán (Ciara), Rory (Braidie), Shane, Darragh, Eamon, Cathal (Enrica), Cormac (Laura), Eoghan and niece Niámh (Rob) will miss their “Uncle Oz” as will the next generation of Lily, Luke, Aidan and Milly. He also leaves behind his aunt, Sr. Kathleen Horgan SM of Sacramento, CA and uncle, Fr. Seán Horgan SMC of Mallow, Co. Cork, Ireland along with his many cousins in Ireland and England.

He began his career in Product Purchasing after studying engineering at N.I.H.E, now known as the University of Limerick, and moved to London, England where he worked for Reuters News Agency for 10 years before moving back to Ireland where he worked for TelLab and Kostal Ireland. In 1993, Oszie, Ann and the girls moved to Massachusetts to live in West Boylston and Oszie continued his career, traveling through Europe, Asia and the States with Simplex, Tyco and Curtis Industries before “retiring” in 2017.

Known for his fierce and often vocal enthusiasm for sports, Oszie was devoted to Limerick hurling, Shannon and Munster rugby, and of course the IRFU, Ireland’s national rugby team. He tried to never miss a game or match, whether it be in person, in a pub, or from the couch. He had many talents and enjoyed DJ’ing and bartending in his native Limerick and then in London, where his skills were apparently much appreciated, to sometimes tending bar at O’Connor’s Restaurant & Bar in Worcester with Brendan and Claire. Oszie loved helping others in building, fixing, remodeling and took pride in a job well done for his family and many friends. A deep thinker, you were never far from delving into subjects with him, both political and philosophical…and needless to say, he always prevailed.

John “Oszie” O’Connor lived an illustrious life full of love, laughter and the occasional Heineken. He will be remembered for being a gift to so many people…bringing his wisdom, understanding, generosity, humor, sarcasm and most importantly, his love and care, to all who knew him. Unbelievably unique, he has many fans around the world. His bonds were strong and will last forever in our memories.

May he rest in peace

Visiting Hours are Thursday, March 27 from 4 to 7pm in Fay Brothers Funeral Home, 1 West Boylston St., West Boylston. A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, March 28, at 11am in Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, 111 Worcester St., West Boylston. Burial will be private in Ireland. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests making a charitable contribution to the AOH, Hibernian Cultural Center, 19 Temple Street, Worcester MA 01602 or to the St. John’s Food for the Poor Program, 20 Temple Street, Worcester MA 01604.