John O’Connor, the swim coach who led Branford Excessive College to fifteen Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Convention (CIAC) state championships, died peacefully at residence on Could 23 at age 80.
Born in New Haven on September 16, 1944, O’Connor was raised in Truthful Haven. He met his spouse, Jean Charlotte, at age 18. They married in 1966 and constructed a life collectively in Branford, sharing 58 years of marriage till Jean’s passing this previous December. Collectively, they raised two sons, Jeff and Sean, and took nice delight of their 4 grandchildren: Paul, Daniel, Rowan, and Meaghan.
O’Connor graduated from Wilbur Cross Excessive College earlier than attending Southern Connecticut State College, the place he was a standout swimmer, incomes All-American honors and setting college data. He accomplished his BA, MS, and Sixth-12 months Certification at SCSU.
He started his skilled life as a particular schooling instructor in West Haven and Branford, finally serving as the college psychologist at Branford Excessive College for almost three a long time. He was additionally an advocate for educators, serving as president of the Branford Schooling Affiliation for a number of years.
Within the pool, O’Connor coached the Branford Excessive College boys’ swim staff from 1975 to 1993, main them to 6 CIAC state championships. He additionally guided the ladies’ staff from 1980 to 2007, capturing 9 extra state titles over his 27-season tenure. Below his management, Branford swimming produced greater than 200 All-State athletes and 12 All-Individuals.
Past the highschool groups, O’Connor helped set up the Branford Stingrays swim program and spent many summers as Pool Director on the Pine Orchard Membership. In recognition of his legacy, the pool at Francis Walsh Intermediate College was named in his honor in 2006. A yr later, he was named Nationwide Excessive College Coach of the 12 months by the Nationwide Excessive College Coaches Affiliation.
O’Connor was additionally extremely concerned within the Branford neighborhood exterior of the aquatics realm. He served as vice-chairman of the Board of Schooling, was a longtime member of the Branford Counseling Middle and Walsh Intermediate College Constructing Committee, and was inducted into each the Branford Schooling Corridor of Fame and the Connecticut Coaches Corridor of Fame.
Visitation shall be held right this moment, Friday, Could 30, from 4 to 7 p.m. on the W.S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Dwelling in Branford. A funeral service will comply with on Saturday, Could 31, at 10 a.m. at St. Therese Church in Branford.
In lieu of flowers, the household requests that donations be made to the John and Jean O’Connor Scholarship Fund by the Branford Neighborhood Basis.
