William B. O'Connor

Rev. (Capt.) William B. O'Connor, 90, former longtime Pastor of St. Clare's Church in Braintree, died Thursday Evening, March 14, at the Marian Manor Nursing Home in South Boston after a period of declining health. Born in Boston, to Annie and Daniel O'Connor, he was raised in Dorchester and was a graduate of Boston English High School. He was a resident of Stoughton for over 34 years. Fr. O'Connor was a graduate of St. John's Seminary in Brighton and received Holy Orders on May 1, 1947 from then Archbishop Richard J. Cushing. A proud Veteran of the United States Navy, Fr. O'Connor served as a Chaplain for over twenty three years, in several different assignments and retired at age 57. Upon his retirement from the Navy, he was assigned to St. Clare's Church in Braintree where he remained for many years and was named Pastor in 1981. He remained as Pastor until his retirement several years ago. Fr. O'Connor enjoyed his work as a priest and also enjoyed golfing, traveling and sports. In his free time, he enjoyed spending time with his siblings, nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his beloved and devoted siblings, John T. O'Connor and Anna (O'Connor) Hawko. He was the brother in law of Grace O'Connor of West Roxbury and the late Thomas Hawko. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Fr. O'Connor will lay in state in the Church of Saint Clare, 1244 Liberty St., Braintree Highlands, MA on Wednesday, March 20 from 4-7 PM. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, March 21 at 11AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Due to Lenten Floral restrictions, no flowers will be accepted. Burial will take place at St. Joseph's Cemetery, West Roxbury. Donations in his memory may be made in honor of Fr. O'Connor's niece to the Kerry Mello Memorial Fund, Massachusetts Hospital School, 3 Randolph St., Canton, MA 02021. Arrangements by Farley Funeral Home, Stoughton.