Joseph Thomas O'Connor

Joseph Thomas O"Connor of Wilsonville passed away September 5, 2012 in Portland, Oregon at the age of 78. Joe was born to Joseph Patrick and Anna May (Kelly) O'Connor, on May 14, 1934 in Hartford, Conn. Joe graduated from Hall High School in 1952 and from the Citadel, the military College of South Carolina in June 1956. He married Joan Dolores Keyes in August 1956. Joe served as a United States Air Force Captain stationed in Alaska from 1957 to 1959 and then served in the active reserves through 1963. After being discharged from the Air Force, Joe joined American Coal, which later became Automatic Comfort, Hartford's largest heating oil business, eventually rising to be the firm's general manager. Joe was an active member of the catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus, both in Canton, conn. and Canby. Joe and Joan raised their family in Canton, Conn., where Joe served as president of the Jaycees and the Lions Club. He also served as Republican Town Chairman, as a selectman and a Police Commissioner. Joe was a Cubmaster, Boy Scout Leader, 4-H Leader, Little League Baseball coach and a founding member of the Avon-Canton youth hockey association. Joe is survived by his wife, Joan; his five children, Allan, Carol Lee, John, Michael and Thomas; and his five grandchildren. The family suggest that donations be made to the St. Patrick, St. Vincent dePaul Food Bank in lieu of flowers. Donations may be sent to St. Partick's Church, P.O. Box 730, Canby, OR 97013. Relatives and friends are invited to a celebration of Joe's life on Thursday, Spet. 13, in the 3rd Floor Activity Room of spring Ridge Court, 32100 SW French Prairie Rd., Wilsonville, 2-4 PM. A memorial Mass for Joe will be held at St. Patrick's Church, 488 NW 9th Ave., Canby, Or; at 11 AM on Friday, September 14, followed by a lunceon at the church hall. Arrangements entrusted to Canby Funeral Chapel. www.canbymolallafuneralchapels.com Family is encouraged to provide an obituary or information that allows for an obituary to be written by our staff