James E. O'Connor (May 27, 1935-January 10, 2023), died peacefully last Tuesday with his loved ones by his side. The fifth of six children, James was born in NYC to Irish immigrant parents, Katherine (née Sullivan) and David O'Connor. He grew up in Yonkers, and as a young child briefly modeled clothing in NYC. Often he fondly recalled having "the largest paper route in Yonkers" a few years later as an eleven-year-old boy. Somber images of star-speckled windows along his route, indicating soldiers' sacrifices during WWII, permanently impressed young Jimmy. But the seriousness of this time never completely distracted him from remembering which customers could be counted on for a generous tip or a Friday afternoon slice of chocolate cake. A few years later he proudly graduated from Roosevelt High School, earning a perfect score on his math Regents exam during his senior year. Jimmy loved the vitality of growing up in the city.

After studying accounting and a brief stint in the US Army, Jim met and married Jane Pease in 1960. To their grandparents' delight, they later welcomed twin daughters, Mary and Margaret. Jim and Jane lived in Chatham until moving to Ghent in 1993, and from there to Valatie in 2014. They also had a home on Cape Cod.

As a sales agent for Peckham Materials, a job he enjoyed, Jim brokered commercial asphalt sales throughout NY and New England for many years. Away from work, Jim enjoyed golfing, beach walking on Cape Cod and playing with his beloved dogs Yogi and Casey, and Calvin and Henry. And rarely did he enjoy himself more than when cheering on his beloved Yankees, especially in person.

Jimmy is survived by Jane, his wife of sixty-two years, his daughters Mary and Margaret, his brother Donald, and many nieces and nephews and their families. He was pre-deceased by his parents, his sisters Mary and Irene, and his brothers David ("Buddy") and John ("Jack"). When we hear funny stories in the future, the kind Jimmy loved to share, may we always remember him with a smile.

The family will receive friends on Monday, January 16th at the French, Gifford, Preiter & Blasl Funeral Home from 10am till noon, Mass of Christian Burial will follow at St. James Church at 12:30pm.

In lieu of flowers memorials in James name may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's research, https://www.michaeljfox.org/. Condolences may be conveyed at frenchblasl.com.