Deceased: 2007-02-13
Diocese: PENSACOLA-TALLAHASSEE
ICTE Spring: 1993
Father Steven J. O’Connor died in Crestview, Florida, February 13, 2007. Born in Pensacola, Florida, June 14, 1949, he was the youngest of six children born to Edward Daniel O’Connor and Genevieve Trinkwell O’Connor of Lillian, Ala. Steven attended Little Flower and St. Michael grammar schools. He graduated from Catholic High School, Pensacola, in 1967. After high school he entered St. Mary’s College in Kentucky. When northwest Florida was transferred to the Diocese of St. Augustine in 1968, he resumed his studies at St. Vincent de Paul Seminary in Boynton Beach, Florida. In 1973, he received his bachelor’s degree in philosophy and psychology from Mt. St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, MD. He completed his studies at St. Meinrad Seminary in Indiana with a master’s of divinity degree. He served as a transitional deacon at Holy Spirit Parish, Pensacola, Florida in the summer of 1977. Father O’Connor was the first priest ordained for the newly-established Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee on December 26, 1977 by Bishop René H. Gracida.
He served the people of the diocese for 29 years. He served as parochial vicar at St. Dominic Parish, Panama City, 1978-79 and 1983-84, St. Paul Parish, Pensacola, 1979-80, and the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Pensacola, 1980-82. He was pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Pensacola, 1984-90, St. Sylvester Parish, Gulf Breeze, 1990-2002, St. Rose of Lima Parish, Milton, 2002-04 and Our Lady of Victory Parish, Crestview, 2005-2007.
Father O’Connor was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Genevieve O’Connor, two nephews, Davy O’Connor and Shane O’Connor and a brother-in-law, Jerry Pivonka.. He is survived by his siblings, Mary Jo LeVan (Jerry), Larry O’Connor (Beth), Jim O’Connor (Maria), Babs Pivonka, Ed O’Connor (Alyce), 16 nieces and nephews and 18 great-nieces and great-nephews.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Bishop John H. Ricard, SSJ, at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, 1212 E. Moreno St., Pensacola, Sat., Feb. 17 at 10 a.m. with burial to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, 1300 East Hayes St., Pensacola. The family will receive friends at the Cathedral on Friday, Feb. 16 from 6 – 9 p.m., beginning with the reception of the body at 6 p.m., the rosary at 7 p.m. and evening prayer and the vigil service at 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Our Lady of Victory Building Fund, 550 Adams Dr., Crestview, FL 32536.
