O'Connor, James

It is with shock and profound sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our dearest Jim. Jim left us after a devastating stroke on Christmas morning. He died hours after celebrating his 75th birthday (or 900 hundred months as his youngest grandchild, Annie, worked out at his request). Jim was surrounded by his loving family at the North Bay Regional Health Centre.

 Adoring husband of 50 years, best friend, and soulmate to Eileen. Loving and beloved father of Brendan (Hillary Neill), Anne, and Emily (Steve Gibbs). Jim was the proudest and most engaged grandfather to Ellis O’Connor, Willem O’Connor, Gantry O’Connor, and Annie Gibbs. Jim is predeceased by his loving parents John “Jack” (1994) and Catherine “Kathleen” (1994), his brother Michael (1998), and his brother Brendan’s dear friend Charlie Schlein (2011). Jim is survived by his brothers Brendan, John (Kay), Brian (Pat), and Michael’s wife Sandra. Jim will be deeply missed by his many nieces and nephews on both sides of our family.

 Jim was a proud and dedicated high school math teacher of almost 40 years. He had a major impact on the lives of many of his students. In addition to his career which he found so rewarding and meaningful, Jim was also a “carpenter”, “plumber”, “electrician”, “dry waller”, “pool boy”, world traveller, marathon runner, family cook, taxi driver for his kids and their friends, home organization mastermind, caretaker, number one fan of everyone he met, and all around fabulous human.

 Jim was also loved by many outside of his family. In particular, he will be forever missed by his very dear friends Peter Burns, David and Michelle Overholt, and Billy and Elaine Hollingsworth. He also fostered special connections to his children’s friends despite their having failed his math classes.

 We are beyond grateful to the incredible and compassionate staff at the NBRHC in the emergency department and on C3 and D3 who helped Jim pass on from this life with grace and dignity. We are especially grateful to Dr. Brill and nurses Jenn, Olana, Katie, Kate, Shannon, Marie Louise, Shavar, Theresa, and Angus for their honesty, empathy, and care at one of the most difficult times of our lives.

 We know his mother-in-law, Annie Duffy, was waiting for him on the other side with a wee dram.

 Family will be receiving friends for a visitation at Hillside Funeral Services from 5:30 to 9:00 pm on Friday January 5th, 2024. Funeral mass will be held on Saturday January 6 at 10:00 am at the Pro-Cathedral of the Assumption with reception to follow at 11:00 am at Hillside Funeral Services. Virtual attendance details for those who cannot travel will be available shortly.

 In lieu of flowers, donations in Jim’s name to Doctors Without Borders (Médecins sans frontières, MSF) or NBRHC will be gratefully acknowledged by the family.