Martin J. O’Connor, age 66, of Needham, previously of Hull, MA and Brooklyn NY, passed away peacefully on Oct. 21, 2021. Born August 16, 1955 in Brooklyn, NY. He led a full and wonderful life. He had a brilliant mind and was interested in everything and everyone. Martin was foremost a devoted husband and father. He grew up in Park Slope, Brooklyn NY and took two trains and a bus to attend St. Francis Preparatory School graduating in 1974, the last year it was located in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. The highlight of his years at “the Prep” was playing football and being coached by his father, the late Head Football Coach Vincent O’Connor. While attending Yale University, Martin continued to play football and became a diehard bulldog forever more. He attended law school at Wake Forest University and grew to love the southern way. Not yet satisfied with these degrees, he got an MBA at Pace University, NYC. He worked for a number of years in corporate law but found his true calling as a family law attorney in Boston, working to protect vulnerable children and families. After retiring from the law, he had a second career as a teacher and worked for many years at Boston Public Schools and later in the special education department at Needham High School. He was a proud member of the Village Club of Needham, and the Needham Steps Up board, an organization that supports underserved students at Needham High School with mentoring relationships. During the last few years, while recovering from medical problems, he became a regular at the Center at the Heights in Needham and loved to have coffee with his new group of friends. He had more patience than most and cared deeply for those around him. And he never complained - even after many set backs and health issues.
Son to the late Vincent and Mary O’Connor of Brooklyn, NY. He is survived by his wife Anne McCaffrey; daughter Oonagh O’Connor; sister Mary Rose and her husband Patrick King and their three children Connor, Patrick and Dylan of Floral Park, NY; special cousin Kathleen and her husband Chris Fulton and their children Kaileigh and Mackenzie of Rockland, MA; dear sister-in-law Alison and brother-in-law Peter Atallah and their sons Sam and Andy, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Ronald and Ester McCaffrey and their daughter Taylor and devoted parents-in-law Maureen and Ron McCaffrey, as well as dear friend Margo O’Connell and many extended family and friends, all of whom he loved dearly.
Visiting Hours in the Eaton Funeral Home, 1351 Highland Ave, Needham, Friday October 29 from 4-6 pm. Covid protocols will be followed including all attendees must wear a mask.
Funeral Service is Private.
In lieu of flowers, donations honoring Martin’s memory can be made to Needham Steps Up at www.needhamstepsup.org
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