John O’Connor

He was born on May 15, 1943, the son of the late Edwin J. O’Connor and the late Helen (Scanlon) O’Connor. He attended Hancock Central High School in Hancock and then graduated from Michigan Technological University in Houghton.

John retired as a mechanical engineer with roles ranging from nuclear submarine design to the supervision and installation of nuclear reactors in plants across North America for General Dynamics & Reactor Controls.

He began his career in Groton, Connecticut, where he met his wife, Carol. They raised three children who John considered his greatest pleasure.

He enjoyed sports of all kinds and played hockey into his adulthood. John was also an avid reader, an expert pistol marksman, and a licensed pilot.

Faith was an integral part of John’s life. He was a man of deep faith, an active parishioner at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus in Knoxville, Tennessee, where he faithfully attended weekly mass until his health no longer enabled him to do so. He served as a Eucharist minister for many years and was a Fourth Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus. He was an honorable and principled man who was unconditionally devoted to humbly serving his Lord and Savior.

John never met a stranger, and he always had a story to tell. He was deeply loved by friends and family alike and he loved his children and grandchildren with his whole heart. His greatest joy was spending time with his family. He was always there for his family, friends, and was generous with his time for others while listening without judgement.

It was impossible not to appreciate his natural charm combined with wit and sense of humor. It was only a short matter of time before John made you smile with his masterclass in storytelling.

Everyone who had the incredible privilege to truly know him, they were better for the experience. He will be missed beyond words.

John is survived by his three children, Aaron (Simone) O’Connor of Kaiserslautern, Germany, Adam (Kristy) O’Connor of Rutledge, Tennessee, and Courtney (Kevin) Thumma of Knoxville; their mother, Carol O’Connor; three grandchildren, Grant, Amalie, and Emme; his sisters, Kay O’Connor, and Eileen Benaglio; and many nephews and nieces.

Along with his parents, John was preceded in death by his son, Shawn; and his sisters, Ann Tieder and Judith Hall.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Joshua and Bridget Litwicki and their children, and to the family of close friend Mary Lou Ottinger.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in John’s name to St. Jude’s Children’s hospital.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Knoxville. Interment will be held privately.