John P. O'Connor

John Patrick O’Connor, age 94, of Bluffton, South Carolina, passed away peacefully on January 22, 2026. He was born on September 19, 1931, in The Bronx, NY to John P. O’Connor Sr. and Matilda Harmon. John married the love of his life, his high school sweetheart, Joan Del Bene on October 3, 1953. Their love spanned over 72 years, a testament to their devotion and faith.

John was a true gentleman. A man of integrity, kindness, and generosity, John will be deeply missed. His faith assures those who loved him that this is not an ending, but the beginning of a beautiful, eternal journey.

John is survived by his wife Joan, his children and their spouses (Gregory and Barbara, Douglas and Ann, Donna and Giuliano Zaratin), eight grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and sisters Eileen McCue and Dorothy Higgins.

Family love and unity were at the heart of John’s life. He cherished gathering his loved ones for dinners, making sure that the bonds of family remained strong and vibrant. Through these traditions and his warm presence, John instilled a lasting sense of connection in everyone around him.

After high school, John enlisted in the Air Force and served 4 years, where he was part of the National Honor Guard in Washington, DC. He went on to have success in accounting and then sales with a company that manufactured and sold pool table cloth and accessories. It’s tough to find anyone who could match his skills on a pool table.

John’s kindness and generosity also extended to dogs. While living in Barnegat, NJ, he kept a regular supply of milk bone dog treats in his mailbox. All the dogs would stop on their regular walks and Dad would make friends with both the dogs and their masters.

A funeral mass will be held on January 30, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Gregory Catholic Church, 31 Saint Gregory Drive, Bluffton, South Carolina.

In lieu of flowers please donate “in memory of John O’Connor” to:

Wounded Warriors Project https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate or to

Hospice https://hospicefoundation.org/donate/