Rev. Msgr. Daniel J. O'Connor
Deceased: 2010-06-16
Diocese: ATLANTA
ICTE Spring: 1993
Monsignor Daniel J. O’Connor was born in Hartford, Connecticut, on February 26, 1932 and died in Atlanta on June 16, 2010, at the age of 78. His parents are the late John Edward and Marie Theresa Barry O’Connor. Survivors include his sisters, Mrs. Marie Muska and Mrs. Anne Elizabeth Gilland, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his late brother, John E. O’Connor. Monsignor served on active duty in the United States Army from June 1951 to May 1953, being stationed at Fort Dix, New Jersey, Fort Devens, Massachusetts, and Giessen, Germany in the American zone. He retired from the U.S. Army on April 29, 1991 as a Colonel. Monsignor was ordained on May 20, 1961, by Archbishop Henry J. O’Brien, in Hartford Connecticut. He was educated at St. Mary’s Seminary, Roland Park, Baltimore, MD, and The Catholic University of America. Monsignor served as a priest for the Archdiocese of Atlanta for forty-nine years. His first assignment was at St. Anthony’s Parish in Atlanta serving from June 1961 to August 1965. During that time he was also a teacher of Religion at St. Joseph’s High School in Atlanta, served on the Archdiocesan Commission on Sacred Liturgy, Vocation Commission, and Assistant to the Secretary for Education. From June 1964 to June of 1967, Monsignor was the Principal of St. Joseph’s High School. He was a Chaplain in the U.S. Army Reserve from October 1964 to August 1990. From August 1965 to October 1974, he was the Secretary for Education (Superintendent of Schools) and the Priest-in-charge of the Jonesboro Mission from August 1965 to June 1967. He became the Pastor of St. Philip Benizi Church in Jonesboro in June 1967 and served there until June 1969. He was in residence at Sacred Heart Church from June 1969 until June 1971. Monsignor was the Chaplain at the Atlanta Army Depot in 1970. He was in residence at Holy Spirit Rectory from June 1971 until May 1972 and then he was in residence at St. Anthony’s Parish until May 1973. Monsignor was named the Pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Alpharetta in June 1973 and was there until May 1983. He served on the Archdiocesan Board of Consultors for three years beginning in1978. He was the Dean of the Northwest Metro Deanery from November 1977 to May 1983 when he was named the pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Atlanta serving there until October 1990. Monsignor became the Administrator of St. Jude the Apostle Parish in April of 1991 and served for one year as Administrator when he was named the Pastor of St. Jude the Apostle Parish serving until June 1993. He was on sabbatical at the North American College in Vatican City from June 1993 until October 1993 and named Monsignor for the Archdiocese of Atlanta in 1994. He retired in July 2002. The Reception of the Body of Monsignor O’Connor will be at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 23, at St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church, 7171 Glenridge Drive NE, Atlanta, GA 30328. The body will be lying in state overnight until 9:00 a.m. There will be a Wake Service with Rosary by Msgr. James Fennessy for the repose of the soul of Msgr. O’Connor at 7:00 p.m. on June 23. On Thursday, June 24, the Funeral Mass will be held at 1:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of Christ the King, 2699 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30305. The Rite of Committal will occur at Arlington Cemetery, Sandy Springs, immediately after the Funeral Mass. Condolences may be sent to St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church, 7171 Glenridge Drive NE, Atlanta, GA 30328. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church or Catholic Charities Atlanta, 680 West Peachtree Street, N.W., Atlanta, Georgia 30308-1984. The funeral home is H. M. Patterson & Son – Spring Hill Chapel, 1020 Spring Street N.W., Atlanta, GA 30309.
