WESTFIELD – James William O’Connor, “The Big O” of Westfield, MA age 86, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, April 28th with his wife and 
two daughters at his side. The Big O was born to Ulysses and Irene (Gosselin) O’Connor on March 26, 1937. A lifelong resident; a true son of Westfield, he attended Saint Mary’s School and Westfield Trade School. Not surprisingly, he was voted “The Class Clown.” The Big O proudly served in the U.S. Army, 24th Infantry Division from 1957-1959 and was a decorated marksman (rifle). The Big O worked at Steven’s Papermill in Westfield where he could be seen happily waving from one of the windows to his three children as their school bus drove by. He was a lab technician at The Waste Water Treatment Plant for the City of Westfield. After his retirement from the “Poo Poo Plant” in 2002, he enjoyed traveling with his wife to many places including Ireland, Aruba, and The Mediterranean. He enjoyed working in his yard with his daughter. The Big O liked sitting in his favorite room watching Red Sox and New England Patriots games. Proud of his Irish heritage, he rooted for Notre Dame and was a member of The Sons of Erin. He was also a proud member of The American Legion Post 124 and The Moose Lodge of Westfield. The Big O will be missed by family, friends, and his many nieces and nephews for his humor, his hearty laugh, his loyalty, and his down to earth personality. He is the last of a wonderful era of an amazing family, The O’Connor’s of Taylor Ave.
The Big O was predeceased by his son James; his former wife Judith (Woodruff); his parents, Ulysses and Irene; his brothers, Ulysses, Edward, Gerald, Joseph, Donald, and Victor; his sisters, Eleanor, Agnes, Margaret, Rita, Therese, Mary, Doris, and Virginia.
He is survived by his wife Margaret (Sausa); his daughters, Karen O’Connor and Laura O’Connor; his stepchildren Kaila DelPozzo and Adam DelPozzo. He leaves his granddaughters Meghan and Caroline Dailey, and Madison Merritt, who were his pride and joy. The Big O also leaves behind his beloved dog, George.
The family would like to thank The Breakfast Club for always including their uncle in their weekly breakfast tradition. These days brought him joy.
Calling hours will be held on Sunday, May 7, 2023 from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM at the Firtion Adams Funeral Home at 76 Broad St. in Westfield. Funeral services will be held at Firtion Adams on Monday, May 8, 2023 at 11:00 AM. Burial will be held privately at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of James W. O’Connor to the Westfield Regional Animal Shelter, 178 Apremont Way, Westfield, MA or k9sforwarriors.org.
