O'Connor, Philip James (1928 - 1980) - O'Connor/Shea Genealogy

Philip James O'Connor (1928-1980)

Philip James O’Connor, the 3rd child of Philip Joseph and Anne Elizabeth Deery O’Connor, was born on 21 Jan 1928 at St Joseph’s Riverside Hospital in Warren, Ohio. He grew up on Kenilworth Ave. in Warren, Ohio with his siblings, Mary, Anne, Paul and Margaret. During his childhood, he was known as Bud or Buddy.

While in high school, Phil worked as a photographer for The Tribune. He enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard on 6 Feb 1946 and was discharged 11 May 1947. Although he was not Philip O’Connor, Jr.; his enlistment documents had him listed as “Philip James O’Connor, Jr.” and he signed his paperwork accordingly. Following his release from the Coast Guard, Phil hitchhiked from Alameda, California back to Ohio “a method of travel that he warmly recommends” according to the article in The Tribune.

In 1952, Phil graduated from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, the alma mater of his father, Philip Joseph. He started working forAshland Chemical in Dec. 1954.

After graduation, Phil shared a house in Scotch Plains, New Jersey with some other young bachelors looking to save some money. In 1956, the guys had a party and, Jim Shea, one of the roommates invited his girlfriend, Jan, and his sister, Peggy, to the party. Jan and Peggy attended the party staying with mutual friends in Scotch Plains, New Jersey. Apparently Peggy Shea caught Phil’s eye and they soon began dating. At that time, Peggy, daughter of Michael and Helen Shea, worked for American Airlines and lived in Jackson Heights, New York with some friends. Phil had relatives in Worcester, Massachusetts and visited frequently. Jim, Jan, Phil and Peg double dated often during that time. They attended WPI homecoming and frat parties and had many good times. Jan and Jim Shea were married March 2, 1957 and Phil and Peg were married September 7, 1957.

Following a honeymoon in Bermuda, Phil and Peg started off their married life in Metuchen, New Jersey. Around 1960 they moved to Wayne Court in Edison, New Jersey where they lived for the next eight years or so. They later moved to Wyckoff, New Jersey where they lived for a year. In 1970, they moved to Columbus, Ohio.

Five of their six children were born at St. Peter’s Hospital in New Brunswick, New Jersey. The youngest child was born at Riverside Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.

Anne Elizabeth (b: 25 Jul 1958) ~m~ Christopher Luvisi (Hayden Connor, Catherine Shea)
Kathleen Mary (b: 24 Aug 1959) ~m~ Kurt Courter (Andrew Michael, Colleen Mary)
James Philip (b: 24 Aug 1960) ~m~ Karen Goddard(Katherine Frances, Philip James)
John Michael (b: 21 Feb 1962) ~m Megan Janusz (Braden Philip, Kellan Rose)
Maureen Beth (b: 26 May 1966) ~m~ Michael Smith (Anna Grace, Griffin Michael, Colin Philip)
Megan Patricia (b: 09 Nov 1970) ~m~ Greg Tomczyk (Cara Scott, Molly Shea, Christopher Michael)

For many years, Phil, Peg and family would spend 2 weeks each summer at Misquamicut Beach, Rhode Island. They would meet friends, cousins and grandparents and the kids would have a great time hanging out on the beach, visiting the old Andrea Doria hotel for “Christmas in July”, waiting for the ice cream truck or watching Phil and Peg try to play tennis. I remember walking the few blocks to the beach and just spending the entire day there. “Sunscreen” was one of the boy’s white T-shirts worn over your sunburned skin while you went swimming. There were also summers spent visiting the Shea cousins in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. In May 1979, Phil and Peg took a long awaited trip to Ireland with their friends, Sully and Louise Sullivan. They spent 2 weeks touring the Irish countryside. Sadly, in Dec. 1979, Phil was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and died in June 1980.

In addition to raising six children, Peg was a member of the Christ Child Society at St. Andrew’s Church in Columbus, Ohio. She also volunteered at Children’s Hospital. Peg was also a talented seamstress and artist. She spend many years working at a local fabric store and sewed many wonderful clothes, quilts and toys for her grandchildren. From witches, princesses, clowns and super heroes, she provided her grandchildren with many Halloween costumes.

Peg’s love of drawing and painting began as a teenager and throughout her life she honed her artistic talents ultimately choosing to concentrate on oil painting. One of Peg’s paintings won first place at a local art show. Each of her children are proud owners of at least one of her paintings. Peg died on 3 Jan 2009 from complications of Alzheimers Disease.