Reverend James J. O’Connor died on May 4, 2022, in Celina, Ohio. He was born on June 26, 1928, in Fayetteville, Ohio. He did his preparatory studies at St. Gregory Seminary and studied theology at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary of the West, Norwood. He was ordained on August 22, 1954, after his third year of theology, at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary of the West Chapel, Norwood by Archbishop Karl J. Alter. He returned to the Seminary after ordination for his final year of theology.

Father O’Connor received his first assignment on June 16, 1955, as assistant at St. Monica Cathedral, Cincinnati. On June 20, 1958, he was appointed assistant at St. Peter in Chains Cathedral, Cincinnati and to teach at De Porres High School, Cincinnati. On June 11, 1962, he was appointed administrator of St. Augustine Parish, Cincinnati and principal of De Porres High School, until the school closed in 1964. On June 17, 1964, he was appointed temporary assistant at Holy Trinity Parish, Middletown. On August 25, 1964, he was appointed chaplain to the Sisters of Charity at Marian High School; in charge of the religion department, full-time religion teacher, with residence at St. Margaret Hall, Cincinnati. Father O’Connor was appointed principal of Fenwick High School, Middletown (1967-1974) and administrator of St. Peter Claver Parish, Middletown on June 16, 1967. When St. Peter Claver Parish closed in 1969, Father O’Connor was appointed, on July 14, 1969, as assistant at St. John Parish, Middletown, and to continue as principal at Fenwick. On June 17, 1971, he was appointed assistant at Holy Trinity Parish, Middletown and to continue as principal at Fenwick. On June 15, 1972, he was appointed assistant at St. Mary Parish, Middletown and to continue as principal at Fenwick. On June 20, 1973, he was appointed to return as assistant to Holy Trinity Parish, Middletown and to continue at Fenwick. Father O’Connor was appointed pastor of Holy Angels, Sidney, on June 19, 1974. On August 16, 1976, he was appointed co-pastor of Holy Angels, Sidney. On August 8, 1985, Father O’Connor was appointed pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish, Botkins; then appointed pastor of St. Lawrence Parish, Rhine for a period of six years, effective December 1, 1989, while remaining as pastor of Immaculate Conception. Father O’Connor retired from active ministry on July 1, 1998.

Reception of the Body: Saturday, May 14, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. at Holy Angels Church, 119 E Water St., Sidney, Ohio 45365; (937-498-2307.) Celebrant: Reverend Steven L Shoup. Visitation: 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., following Reception of the Body until Mass of Christian Burial.

Mass of Christian Burial: Saturday, May 14, 2022, at 11: 00 a.m. at Holy Angels Church, Sidney. Celebrant: Reverend Steven L. Shoup. Homilist: Reverend Kyle E. Schnippel.

Burial: Saturday, May 14, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Patrick Cemetery, Anderson State Road, Fayetteville, Ohio 45118. Celebrant: Reverend Thomas L. Bolte