Memorandum
To:
From:
All Priests, Deacons, Religious and Faithful of the Archdiocese
Most Reverend William J. Justice
Date:
March 16, 2013
RE:
DECEASED: Reverend Monsignor John J. O'Connor
As some of you have been hearing, Monsignor Jack O'Connor died peacefully at home
yesterday, March 15, 2013. He was 78 years of age. Jack was born in San Francisco, the son of
John and Josephine (Brown) O'Connor, and the middle of three children. Jack was baptized at Holy
Name of Jesus Parish, and after a brief move to Marin County, the family resettled within the parish
boundaries of Holy Name, where Jack attended elementary school. He entered Archbishop Riordan
High School, which had opened its doors in September 1949, and graduated from Riordan in 1952
after serving as its 2nd student body president. Jack then went on to Saint Joseph College and Saint
Patrick's Seminary.
Ordained June 11, 1960 by Archbishop John J. Mitty, Father O'Connor was appointment initially
to Saint Stephen Church for three months before entering Catholic University of America in
Washington, D.C., where he completed his master's degree in Social Work. In 1963, he returned to
the Archdiocese to take up an assignment at Catholic Social Services in Marin County, rising to
Director of the agency. In 1971 he became Director of Catholic Social Services of San Francisco
County. Father O'Connor was appointed Pastor of Mission Dolores Basilica in 1983. On March 27,
1989, following the visit of Pope John Paul II to San Francisco and eight other U.S. cities, he was
named a Prelate of Honor by Pope John Paul II with the title of Monsignor. Monsignor O'Connor
continued serving at Mission Dolores until 1997 when he was named pastor of Saint Mary's
Cathedral. After his retirement he remained in close contact with his family, and with his support group
and many friends.
His family has made the following arrangements:
Funeral Mass:
Friday, March 22, 2013
10:00 a.m.
Saint Mary's Cathedral, 1111 Gough Street, San Francisco
Reception to follow in Saint Francis Hall
Monsignor is predeceased by his brother Philip. Please join Archbishop Cordileone, Archbishop
Quinn, Bishop McElroy, Bishop Wester and me in praying for Monsignor and his family, including Phil's
children, Dondi, Erin, John, Chris, Justin, Hanlon and Ingrid; and Monsignor's sister, Peggy Vollert,
and her children Joe, Jack, Dan, Tom, Catherine and Eileen. Your letters of condolence may be sent
to the family as follows:
Mrs. Margaret Vollert
174 Westdale Avenue
Daly City, CA 94015
_______________________
Annabelle Groh
Manager, Office of Bishop William J. Justice and Bishop Robert W. McElroy
Archdiocese of San Francisco
One Peter Yorke Way
San Francisco, CA 94109
Tel. 415-614-5611; Fax: 415-614-5613