Dennis P. O'Connor, 57, formerly of Greenfield, Ind., passed away on Sunday, April 8, in Cincinnati. He was born March 17, 1955, to Dan and Louise (Colvin) O'Connor, in Washington, Ind.
He graduated St. Michael Catholic School in Greenfield in 1969, and the Latin School of Indianapolis, a pre-seminary boys' high school, in 1973.
He received a B.A. in journalism and political science in 1978 from Indiana University, and participated in the Reserve Officers' Training Corps while a student at I.U. He served on active duty from 1978 to 1983. While in the Army, he was stationed in Germany, where among other responsibilities, he patrolled the border between East and West Germany. He entered the Army a Second Lieutenant and was honorably discharged as a Captain. After leaving the Army he worked at several newspapers and publications in Kentucky and Ohio. He spent 10 years at the Catholic Telegraph in Cincinnati. During this time, he also wrote two publications, "Bridges of Faith" and "Building Bridges of Faith," about Sister Parish relationships in Central America. Most recently, he was the executive director of Christians for Peace in El Salvador (Crispaz). He was passionate about helping the poor and marginalized people in El Salvador and in Central America, and he took numerous trips to the area to affect change.
Dennis is survived by his loving wife, Paula Fey O'Connor, of 28 years; and his children, Colleen O'Connor and Sean O'Connor. He is also survived by parents Dan and Louise O'Connor; siblings Steve O'Connor, Julie (Stan) Crider, all of Greenfield, and Christine O'Connor (Dave) Brokaw, and Michael (Anne Mullin) O'Connor, both of Indianapolis; as well as several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 12, at Mihovk-Rosenacker Funeral Home, 5527 Cheviot Road, Cincinnati, OH 45247; telephone (513) 385-0511; www.mrfh.com.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 13, at St. James the Greater Catholic Church, 3565 Hubble Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45247. Interment will follow at St. James Cemetery.
For those who wish, in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be written to: The Dennis O'Connor Crispaz Fund, and mailed to: Crispaz, 215 E. 14th Street, Cincinnati OH 4520; or to the American Cancer Society.
