Your memorial contribution in Bob’s name will be placed in the Fox River Valley Community Scholarship Fund.
Friend of the Foundation, former board member, and long-time scholarship champion Robert J. O’Connor passed away on September 15, 2022.
From the obituary:
Robert James O’Connor (Bob), 78, of Aurora, Illinois, passed away at home on September 15, 2022.
He was born on August 30, 1944, in Aurora. He was a graduate of East Aurora High School, the University of Illinois, and the University of Notre Dame Law School.
Bob had a long career in Aurora as an attorney handling real estate and estate planning, but the work that brought him the most enjoyment was his time spent as an Alderman-at-Large for the City of Aurora. Winning his first election in 1985, he went on to be elected eight more times and served the city proudly for nine terms spanning 36 years. He was a member of the Finance Committee for the entirety of his council career, serving as chairman for 32 of those years. In October of 2016, he was sworn in for a six-month term as the Mayor of Aurora, and was, as noted by his granddaughter, Avery, “in charge of the whole city of Aurora, except for Grandma.” In addition to his work as an attorney and council member, Bob was an active and engaged board member of the Northeastern Illinois Area Agency on Aging and the Illinois Council on Aging; additionally, he volunteered at the Dominican Literacy Center for their citizenship classes and served on the Board of Directors of the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley. He was active in the Exchange Club of Aurora as a member, past President, and Treasurer. He was also a member of the Administrative Board for Phillips Park and Splash Country Aquatic Centers, the Aurora Public Library Board of Directors, and the Aurora Police Foundation Board of Directors.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 52 years, Mary (Eberly) O’Connor; sons, Thomas (Teresa Waldinger) O’Connor of North Aurora, Illinois, John (Jill) O’Connor of Conroe, Texas, and his grandchildren Avery & Beckett (Tom & Teresa) and Mady & Kate (John & Jill). Additionally, he is survived by his sisters-in-law, Barbara O’Connor and Janet Bradshaw, brother-in-law, David Bradshaw, four nieces, one nephew, and several cousins.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Francis (Frank) Edward O’Connor, and his parents, Charles and Georgiana (Mies) O’Connor.
Bob was a historian, a self-proclaimed Abraham Lincoln junior scholar, a voracious reader, a long-standing and share-holding supporter of the Green Bay Packers, and a pragmatic decision-maker who treated all with the respect they deserved.
A visitation will be held on Sunday, October 16, 2022, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Healy Chapel, 332 W. Downer Pl., Aurora, Illinois 60506. Funeral and interment services will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Bob’s honor to the Dominican Literacy Center in Aurora, Illinois, the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley, or to an organization of the donor’s choice.
