Michael Francis O'Connor

Michael Francis O'Connor died on the morning of Wednesday, April 30, 2008, at his Easton home. He was 61. He was born in Jacksonville, Fla., the son of Mervyn and the late Commander John T. O'Connor, USN. Mike attended Gonzaga High School in Washington, D.C., and graduated from Bishop O'Connell High School in Arlington, Va. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy from Brown University, where he played football and lacrosse. Upon graduation in 1968, Mike joined the U.S. Army and attended Field Artillery School at Fort Sill, Okla., and Parachute Infantry Training at Fort Benning, Ga. He was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Army Commendation Medal. He received an Honorable Discharge. Following his release from active duty, Mike enrolled in the University of Maryland Law School, receiving his J.D. in 1973. He was engaged in general practice in both the District of Columbia and Maryland until 1990, when he was appointed supervising attorney in the Easton Office of the Public Defender. He distinguished himself among his colleagues not only for his brilliant mind, but also his keen wit. In both the style and content of his arguments, Mike's words were often memorable and frequently thought provoking in areas well beyond the legal issues. Mike was involved in many community and professional activities and associations, including Sts. Peter and Paul School Board of Education, the Knights of Columbus, the Rotary Club of St. Michaels, the Easton Board of Zoning Appeals, the Talbot County Drug & Alcohol Abuse Council, the Academy of the Arts, the Maryland Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, the Commercial Law League, and the Maryland Municipal Attorneys Association. He was a member of the Talbot County and Maryland State Bar Associations, serving as chair of the Ethics Committee and serving on the Committee on Professionalism. In addition to his mother, Mike is survived by his beloved wife, Pamela Ann O'Connor; his brother and sister-in-law, Thomas and Jan O'Connor of Scottsdale, Ariz.; nieces, Lauren and Samantha; nephews, Tom and Michael; stepchildren, Rachael, Deborah, Logan and Sarah; and stepgrandchildren, Jackson, Gaage, Caleb, Jolie, and especially Alana. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, May 9, at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Easton. Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, May 8, at Fellows, Helfenbein and Newnam Funeral Home P.A. in Easton. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mike's memory may be made to Sts. Peter and Paul Elementary and High Schools, 900 High St., Easton, MD 21601.

Michael Francis O'Connor

August 28, 1946 - April 30, 2008