Obituary of Gary O’Connor

Gary S. O'Connor Elmira: Age 58, passed away Thursday, March 15, 2012 at the Bath VA. Born in Glen Ridge, NJ on July 2, 1953, Gary is the son of John P. O'Connor and the late Virginia (Reilly) O'Connor. He is survived by his wife of 30 years Nancy (Dunbar) O'Connor, daughter Rebecca O'Connor, son and daughter-in-law, Rory and Shelby (Stoaks) O'Connor. Also surviving are siblings John R. O'Connor, Susan Wagner, Ann Peason, Eileen Callahan, Jean Jackson and their families; cousin Michael O'Connor; Sherry and Marc Burford; Greg and Anne Lamb; Thomas and Lynne Dunbar; wonderful neighbors; and steadfast friends from Corning Incorporated and Reynosa, Mexico. Gary graduated from Delbarton in Morristown, NJ in 1971. He earned a B.S. in Ceramic Engineering in 1975 from Rutgers University. As a member of the Lightweight Crew Team, he established close friendships that have continued to the present. Gary graduated from Officers Candidate School in Newport, RI, and made multiple deployments on the USS Barry (DD 933) to the Persian Gulf, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean, Northern Europe, and Caribbean. He taught Seamanship and Navigation at the Naval Academy, where he was also the Women's Crew Coach. In 1982 he entered the U.S. Naval Reserve as he began a career with Corning Incorporated. Before retiring as a Captain in 2001, Gary attended the Naval War College and National Defense University, participated in exercises with NATO, journeyed to the Arctic Circle, and was assigned to the Pentagon and Norfolk for active duty. Gary was also this area's Naval Academy Blue and Gold Officer. During his career with Corning Incorporated, he held positions within Life Sciences in the fields of Process, Equipment, and Project Engineering and was a Senior Project Engineer. Before retiring in 2009, Gary was named a Project Manager Associate for his exceptional contributions. He earned a Professional Engineer License and was the first Division Energy Manager for Corning Life Sciences in the Global Energy Management program. Diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's Disease in 2006, Gary, his family, and friends began their association with The Packard Center for ALS Research and last year he was presented with a Partners in Collaboration Award for the fundraising efforts he inspired. Friends are invited to McInerny Funeral Home, corner of W. Water and Walnut Sts., on Friday, March 23, 2012 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. A Memorial Service will be held for Gary at the funeral home on Saturday, March 24, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to The Packard Center as follows….if donating online, search The Packard Center's Fiesta 5K and Fun Run website, bring up "Team Low & Slow" or Gary O'Connor….if donating by check, The Packard Center for ALS Research, Attn: Suzie Connelly, 5801 Smith Avenue, McAuley 110, Baltimore, MD 21209.