Raymond F. O'Connor

Raymond F. OConnor (Ray), age 88 of Oshkosh, passed away peacefully, Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at Park View Health Center, surrounded by family. Ray was born June 19, 1926 in Rockford, Ill, the son of Joseph and Veronica (McGrath) OConnor. He met Kathryn (Kitty) Jean Ryan via a neighborhood friend, when they were seniors in high school. Ray and Kitty married on August 26, 1950 at St. Marys Church in Rockford. Ray graduated from St. Thomas High School in Rockford in 1943. He served in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific from 1944-1946. He received his Bachelors Degree in Business from the University of Notre Dame in 1951. While at Notre Dame, Ray was a student athletic manager and was at Notre Dame during a period when the football team won two national championships. He remained an avid Notre Dame fan throughout his life. After graduation, Kitty and Ray lived in Milwaukee, Manitowoc, Watertown and Rockford, before moving to Oshkosh in 1967. They lived on Hazel St. for 35 years, just two blocks from Mercy Medical Center where Ray worked for 20 years as Treasurer and Financial Vice President. They moved to Briarwood Cottages in Oshkosh 12 years ago, and Ray joined Kitty at Park View in June of 2014. They were both active members of St. Marys Parish in Oshkosh (now Most Blessed Sacrament), where Ray served for a time as a parish trustee, as well as treasurer and parish council member, and for many years as member of the choir.Ray was a long time member of the Knights of Columbus, the Edgewater Club and the Notre Dame Alumni Association of Green Bay-Fox Valley area, and served on the troop committee for his sons Boy Scout troop. He was very proud of his Irish heritage and attended Irish Fest in Milwaukee every year until recently.Kitty and Ray enjoyed travel, including many family camping trips where the family visited a major part of the U.S. and southern Canada. After retirement, Kitty and Ray were fortunate to make several overseas trips and particularly enjoyed their trips to Ireland.Faith, family and Notre Dame defined Rays life. Although losing him is very difficult, the ability to spend so much time with him before his passing has provided wonderful memories for the family. Ray is survived by his wife Kitty, daughter Mary (Bob Bocher) of Monona, Wisc., and their daughters Claire (Andrew) Pautz and Lauren; Mike (Joan) of Oshkosh, and their children Paul (Carrie) and Ann (Mike) Linzbach; Kevin (Julie) of Minneapolis and their children Ryan, Will and Kyle; Dan (Kathy) of Minneapolis and their children Quinn, Brendan and Molly; and Sheila (Brook Hilleary) of Indianapolis; great grandchildren Kathleen, Elizabeth and Caroline OConnor, Liam and Declan Pautz, and several nieces and nephews. Ray was preceded in death by his parents, and infant daughter Maureen, brother, Bernard OConnor and sister-in-law Marilyn (Reilly) OConnor.The family will greet relatives and friends from 9:00-11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 11 at Most Blessed Sacrament (St. Marys Site), 605 Merritt St., followed by a funeral mass at 11:00 a.m. A very special thank you to the tremendous staff at Park View Health Center, Prairie Side 1 for their many years of care for Kitty and their more recent care of Ray. The family cant say enough. And thanks to Affinity Hospice, specifically Ryan and Nancy for such wonderful compassion for Ray and solace they provided our family.In lieu of flowers, memorials in Rays name may be directed to Fr. Carrs Place 2B, Lourdes Academy, Wisconsin Public Television or Affinity Hospice.

Most Blessed Sacrament-St. Mary Site



605 Merritt St
Oshkosh
WI
54901

00:00.0
9:00 am until 11:00 am



Most Blessed Sacrament-St. Mary Site



605 Merritt St
Oshkosh
WI
54901

00:00.0
11:00 AM



Calvary Catholic Cemetery



Algoma Blvd
Oshkosh
WI
54901