Robert Edward O'Connor
October 10, 1946 ~ January 19, 2006
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Robert Edward “Bob” O’Connor, 59, of 12 Holly Hill Drive, Asheville, died Thursday, January 19, 2006, at the Hospice Solace Center.
Mr. O’Connor was born in Bridgeport, CT, and had lived in Asheville for 22 years. He was a Navy veteran of the Vietnam Conflict and served on the U.S.S. St. Paul. He worked in the bottling business for more than 30 years, including 22 years at Southeastern Container, where he served as Operations Manager. He was a member of WNC Classic Cuisers Car Club and of the Basilica of St. Lawrence.
Bob was a loving husband and father and is survived by his wife, Irene O’Connor; one daughter, Lisa Marie O’Connor of Asheville; one son, Shane Casey O’Connor and his wife, Christy Craddock O’Connor, of Marietta, GA; a grandson, Andrew Jamison O’Connor; his parents, Vincent and Madeline Kiely O’Connor of Stratford, CT; three brothers, Vincent O’Connor, Jr., of Fremont, NE, Dennis O’Connor of Stratford, CT, and Tim O’Connor of Hamden, CT; and a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister, Sharon O’Connor Stoops.
A Funeral Mass will be conducted by the Very Rev. Wilbur N. Thomas, V.F. at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday at the Basilica of St. Lawrence. Additionally, a memorial service will be held in Stratford, CT.
Pallbearers will be Vincent O’Connor, Jr., Dennis O’Connor, Bruce Sampson, Eddie Neal, John Walsh, Steve Harwood, Henry Pinto, and Tom Payne. Tim O’Connor along with Bob’s “family” at Southeastern Container will serve as honorary pallbearers.
Mr. O’Connor’s family will receive friends from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Monday at Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Basilica of St. Lawrence, 97 Haywood Street, Asheville, NC 28801.
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You are in our thoughts and prayers. We will never forget the great times we had together as parents at Coastal. It was always fun to be together. Bob will remain in our memories and our prayers.
To Mrs.Irene O’Connor and family, and to Mr.and Mrs. Vincent O’Connor and family.
We would like to send our heartfelt prayers to you and yours. May the time you spend together has a family be a special one as you have fond recollections of Bob may the pictures ,mementos, and your favorite stories both funny and sad help in your healing, as the time will pass people will go on there way, but one thing stays near, is the spirit of Bob and his love for all of you. May your memories carry you on, and those we love are never really lost to us for everywhere their special love lives on. God Bless all of you.
Sincerely,
Charlie and Julie Buckner
Our deepest sympathies to the O’Connor family. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Lisa, Irene, & The Entire O’Connor family
I wanted to let you know that I am thinking of all of you, I am so extremely sorry for your loss. I know that it has to be really hard to lose such a special person like Bob. Even though we haven’t been as close as we were in the past, know that I am thinking and praying for each one of you. Bob was such a sweet man, always so friendly. I saw him not so long ago in Ingles and he spoke with my kids and bragged about his grandbaby, how good Lisa was doing, and then had to rush back to Irene he was getting some things for supper. Each and everytime I saw him he always had to tell me about you guys, he was very proud and all of you should know how happy you seemed to make him. May God Bless you on this journey. Love you all,
We were so sorry to hear of your loss. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Jan and Michael Scott
A GREAT GUY.YOU WILL BE MISSED.
Bob was a great friend. I will remember him as a man who loved his family. He was very proud of his son and daughter and oh yes his grandson.
We pray in the days ahead our Heavenly Father will comfort each of you and bring you peace.
In life, every now and then we are fortunate enough to know people with kind hearts, dignity, and integrity. Bob had those fine qualities, and many more. He was a friend and mentor to me, and I will miss him dearly.
My deepest sympathies to the O’Connor family.
A co-worker of Shane’s.
Irene and family,
We send our deepest sympathies. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
My Deepest sympathies to the O’Conner Family .
He will be Missed very much.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you in this difficult time.
Love-
Ryan, Lori and family
Lisa and family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this most difficult time. Trust in the Lord and he will get you through this. Please let me know if there is anything I can do.
Love, Beth
Shane,
My love, thoughts and prayers are with you,Christy, and your family.
Love,
Carol
You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Love,
James and Sherry Caverlee
Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Bob, you will be greatly missed. Family, you are in our hearts and prayers.
Bob was a man of his word and I feel honored to have known and worked for him. His true concern for his ‘family’ at Southeastern was always evident and his strong character will definitely be remembered. I have a great memory of introducing my sons to ‘my boss’ at a car show, where it was easy to see his true enjoyment and love for classic cars. He will be missed.
Our condolences to the O’Connor family, especially Irene, Shane, and Lisa. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Bob was a good man, and I had alot of repect for him. God bless all of you.
Although we only met briefly a couple of times, I knew of you well through my friend, your sister, Sharon. My thoughts and sympathy go out to your family.
While I am older than Bob, he treated me like a son. I loved everything about him especially the way he kidded me. He spoke often of his love and pride for his family as well as his co-workers. He especially loved his ‘ boys ‘ at SEC and helped nourish them in their personal lives as well as
nourishing their leadership roles.
I loved him because he loved me..I respected him because he respected me. I will sincerely miss him but take comfort in the fact that I will be just one of many to do so.
I am so sorry for your loss. I always appreciated Bob and was so grateful for the acknowledgment while naming the hosibility room in my honor.
He will be missed.
Glenda Campbell (Former Teacher and Coach-ERWIN HIGH SCHOOL)
Dear Irene and family: I am so very, very sorry to hear about Bob. So often I recall the time that Madeline and I went to visit you and Bob the summer of 1987 and what a great time we had with you guys. Again, I am sincerely sorry and will be thinking of you. Love, Betty
Our deepest sympathie and prayers goes out to the O’Connor family. Ken and Patty Hamlin ( K&P Express,Inc.)
Irene, Lisa, Shane & Christy
I am so deeply sorry for the lose of Bob. He was a special man and loved by so many in our community. I will continue to pray for your family as you grieve his passing. Please know that God loves you and will hold you in the midst of your pain.
With love,
Heather Brookshire
Both Tony & I are so very sorry for the loss of Bobby. We have often revisited the memories we shared as ‘young couples’, knowing Irene & Bobby; there were many laughs shared together. Our prayers are with you all. There was never a nicer family as ‘The O’connors”. Warmest wishes, Cindy & Tony Fedock
Irene and family,
What a great loss for the community. Bob was a wonderful man of integrity. He will surely be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with each one of you.
Lisa, Irene and family,
I was deeply saddened when Mom told me of Bob’s passing. He truly was a wonderful man. I will be thinking of you and pray that you will be strong in your faith during this difficult time. Love and prayers.
We are sorry to hear about Bob. You are in our prayers.
Michael Pinto and Family
Our hearts and prayers are with you.We go back many years. A life time, and share so many memories. Bob was a beautiful person and he will be missed terribly. We are here for you always. Love you
Bob was an inspiration. He exhibited so many of the qualities that we all strive for: strong work ethic, loyalty in both his professional and personal life, caring for those around him, a great sense of humor and so many other qualities. His family meant everything to him. He taught me so much. Thank you for sharing him with all of us at SEC! Our prayers are with you.
Heidi, Ron and Kiersten Good
Lisa, Irene & Family,
Although it has been quite a while since I have seen your family, I was deeply saddened to hear of Bob’s death. I will keep you in my prayers.
Love,
Krystn Gull
Irene,
We were so saddened to learn of Bob’s passing. Please know that all of you are in our throughts and prayers at this difficult time.
Ronnie, Geraldine, Ronnie JR, Dalton Capps and Marisa, Mark and Marty Wines and Jonathan Surrett
Dear Lisa and family,
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I just recently lost my dad, so I know what you’re going through. May God be with you and the family during this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
We are very sorry for your loss, and we are keeping you all in our prayers. Our deepest sympathy.
Love, Marek, Krystyna, and Mark Iwaszkiewicz, and Renee, Ted and Izabella Neiger
Wishing you comfort and peace during this time of sorrow. My deepest condolences to the O’Connor family.
Irene and Family:
Bob and I attended St.James School in Stratford many,many years ago.
I have some very good memories of your husband and Dad in his earlier years. I am a better person for having known him. Peace & Love in Christ!
Peter Nelsen, Minister of Music
St Mark Church, Stratford, CT
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Irene, Lisa, Shane and family. We would like to extend our sympathy to all of you and your family. It is hard to loose someone so close to you. We pray that you find peace in knowing there will be no suffering in heaven. Dwell on the good times and fond memories. My God be with all of you. Deb and Robin Bowman
Irene and family.
I worked with Bob at Southeastern Container. He was a great man and will be missed greatly.
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
I am Shane’s secretary and all of you have been in my thoughts constantly. I hope that our heavenly father will bless your family with peace and consolation during this very difficult time. Shane’s father must have been a truly wonderful person to have raised a son that is such a special human being and a joy to work with. I will continue to remember each of you in my prayers.
Irene,
My husband & I have known Bob for more that 15 years and we thought very highly of him. He always asked about our family and always shared his with us. He was very proud of his family and I hope his grandson will grow up knowing what a wonderful man he was and how many people loved and respected him.
Bob was a hard worker and an understanding guy, who would do anything for his boys at southestern. It was a pleasure working for him. He will be missed. prayers go out to the family.
Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.
Lisa, We are thinking and praying for you and your family at this time. We love you!!
Love,
Alicia
My most sincere and heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family during the loss of your husband.
Sincerely, Vickie Wallace (co-worker with Shane’s law firm)
Lisa and family,
may God bless you in your time of loss. May you find strength, love and encouragement from your family and friends during your time of need.
Deepest Sympathies,
Michele Heyward, Latrice Spann & Alisa Mingmongkol
Lisa my god bless you and your family The Shivers Family
Emily and I extend our heartfelt sympathy to your family in this time of grief and stress. We hope and pray that you will find solace and comfort in the gathering of family and friends that are there to help and support you and the knowledge that Bob is now at peace.
God bless Bob and you all and please do not hesitate to ask if we can help.
David and Emily Hendrick
To my big brother Bob, as I stay here at home watching over our mom knowing that soon Dad will be joining you up in heaven, I wanted you to know that you have always been my hero, that’s why I named my son Robert after you and I told him that he has some mighty big shoes to fill in life to be the person my brother was to me.
Love Tim
Dear Irene, Shane, Lisa & Family,
Our Love, prayers and deepest sympathy are with you at this time of immense sorrow. I wish there was something I could say or do to lighten your burdened heart. I pray you may find comfort from all the love and prayers that are being offered for you and your family. Please know we are with you in spirit and will continue to pray for you and your family. May you also find comfort in knowing that Bob’s Love for all of you will live on forever and that you have an Angel watching over you!
With Deepest Sympathy & Love
Bridget George & Family
my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family
to be absent from the body is to be present with Lord
Shaine
Shane, my deepest sympathies to you and your family.
We were very sory to hear of your loss. You and your family are in our hearts and prayers. May God give you the strength and peace in these hard times.
We wish we could be with you in person. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May God’s peace and comfort surround you.
Will and Jan Flatt
Dear Irene, Lisa, and Shane:
Reading Bobby’s obit on Sunday was the first time ever that thinking about ‘Bobby-O’ did not bring a smile to my face.
Irene, how well I remember the good times we had together in Stratford. You and Bobby were the ‘go-to’ couple, and I cherish those memories.
Even though you have been gone for 22 years Dennis has always kept me informed of how you were doing, and I always sent my love and regards.
You and your family are in my thoughts.
Love Barbara Heimlich
To the O’Connor family,
I have always thought of your family as a second family. I feel deep sorrow for your loss and pray for you everday. I remember when Lisa and I were younger Bob would always tell me to keep and eye on Lisa and keep her out of trouble. I will always keep that promise to Bob because Lisa is not only my best friends but like a sister. I love you all and will always be here for you!
I had the privilege of getting to know Bob over the past few years while working on a project at SEC and it was always a great pleasure to have him involved. Bob was a very good man and his friends from Kortec will miss working with him. I would like to extend my sympathies to the O’Connor family for their loss.
I really hated to hear about Bob. He was a very nice man. I worked with Bob at Southeastern Container back in 1995-1996. My thoughts and prayers are with you.