John R. O'Connor

IN LOVING MEMORY OF JAY O’CONNOR

John R “Jay” O’Connor died January 4, 2019 in the loving company of his family. He was 82 years of age. He is survived by his wife Barbara nee Schwartz and his five children, Kate O’Keefe (Robert of Columbus OH), Tara Nell (Charles of Columbus OH), Molly Boyle (Michael of Brookfield WI) and sons Tim (Connie of Barrington IL) and John R II (Anne of Whitefish Bay WI).

Jay was grandfather of twelve grandchildren: Connor and Margaret Nell, Katie, Kelly, Michael, and Sean O’Connor, Jack, Matthew and Daniel Boyle, and Jack, William and Adeline O’Connor.

He was a loyal supporter of Marquette University graduating in 1957 from the School of Business Administration. While attending Marquette University, he served as president of the business school’s religious society and vice president of the Alpha Delta Sigma fraternity. The fraternity later awarded his contribution with its Outstanding Service Key award for his service to its members. Jay was a lifetime advocate of Marquette University and was president of the business school alumni association and also served on the Board of Directors for the newly constructed Alumni Union in its founding years and was named to the business school’s alumni hall of fame in 1997.

Jay was successful in his sales and marketing career, first as Director of Promotions at Miller Brewing Company and as Vice President National Accounts in the beverage division of The Boelter Company in Milwaukee.

On retirement, Jay turned his passion for fitness into a second career as a personal trainer. He earned his accreditation from The American Council on Exercise and pursued his avocation as a successful trainer for almost 20 years. He was particularly known for his in-depth knowledge of training methods for older adults and excelled in the role of Personal Trainer.

He was brother to sisters Dawn Edson of Palm Springs, CA and Rita Auelmann of Newport Beach, CA and beloved son of, and preceded in death by his parents, Roderick and Agnes O’Connor.

The funeral will be held on Friday, January 11 at 11:30 at St Agnes Catholic Church located at 7775 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, Naples FL.