Rev. James T. O’Connor, pastor emeritus of St. Hugh Parish in Lyons, died on April 27, 2018. He would have turned 90 years old on June 10.
Born in 1928 in Chicago, he attended St. Francis Xavier School in LaGrange and Quigley Preparatory Seminary. He earned a master’s degree at the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary in 1953.
After ordination to priesthood, Father O’Connor served the archdiocese as assistant pastor at Resurrection Parish on Jackson Street in Chicago, St. Francis de Sales Parish on Ewing Avenue in Chicago, Divine Savior Parish in Norridge and St. James Parish in Maywood.
Subsequently, Father O’Connor served as pastor of Our Lady of Loretto Parish in Hometown, St. Joseph Parish in Libertyville and St. Hugh Parish in Lyons. In 1994, he was bestowed the title of pastor emeritus.
Rev. John Finnegan, pastor emeritus of St. Mary of Vernon, remembers his “closest classmate and closest friend” as a strong and yet gentle priest with a great sense of humor who built long-lasting relationships with his parishioners.
“Jim was the best,” said Father Finnegan. “We all wanted to be like him. Jim really knew how to serve the people and serve the Church.”
All funeral services occurred at St. Francis Xavier Church, in La Grange where Father O’Connor was baptized. Interment was at All Saints Cemetery.
