O’Connor, John William

John William O’Connor, 94, of Jefferson passed away peaceably on Friday, November 30, 2024 at Grace Commons in Menomonee Falls.

John was born on January 21, 1930 in Eden Township to Thomas and Grace (Walter) O’Connor. Raised on his family's dairy farm outside of Dodgeville he received engineering degrees from the Wisconsin State College and Institute of Technology at Platteville and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  John was employed as an engineer at Allis Chalmers and latter at Snap-On Tools. After marrying his soulmate Judie in 1965 they settled in Muskego, WI and started their family.  After their retirements, they returned to John's farming heritage by purchasing a hobby farm outside of Rome, WI where he happily restored farm machinery and grew crops for many years.

John enjoyed his family and friends, and remained busy tinkering and restoring farm machinery, camping and sailing and all things agricultural.  He held a steadfast faith throughout his life and was a dedicated servant to his Lord volunteering as a Lector for many years at his home parishes of St. Leonard Church in Muskego, and St. Patrick Church in Whitewater.

His warmness of spirit, generosity, faith, advice and example of being will be particularly missed by his children and all who knew him.

 John is survived by his children, Timothy O'Connor of Milwaukee, Ellen (Will) Gorr of Waukesha; grandchildren, Amanda Schmidt; (Kent), Aiden Gorr, Samantha Gorr; Sister Joanne Statz of Oregon, WI, as well many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Grace O’Connor; wife, Judith O’Connor and his sister Kathleen O'Connor.

A memorial mass of Christian burial will take place at 12PM on Thursday, December 19, 2024 at St. Partick Catholic Church in Whitewater.  Visitation will take place from 10AM until the time of service. Burial will take place at 10AM on Friday, December 20th at Wisconsin Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The American Heart Association or St. Patrick's Church.

The family would like to give special thanks to the staff at Grace Commons and Brighton Hospice for their exceptional care for John.