Brian J. O’Connor, 82, passed away peacefully in his home in Tequesta, FL surrounded by his children on November 16, 2020. Born in Manhattan in 1938, he had the good fortune of coming into this world at a time when the son of Irish immigrants could rise from The Bronx to the ranks of IBM elites. Though good fortune shone on the day he was born, his incredible work ethic, intelligence, and zest for learning is what took him far and wide around the globe. The years following his graduation from Bishop Dubois High School in 1956 saw him transform into a Jasper at Manhattan College. He made his off the boat, hard working, parents very proud when he earned a merit scholarship to attend. Subsequently he graduated, did a stint with his buddies in the Army Reserves, then got back to the books to earn his MBA- attending Columbia and then NYU at night while working at a canning company by day. 

On a fateful weekend with his Phi Kappa Theta brothers on the Jersey Shore he met his future wife Marylin. Together they raised four children who he could not have been prouder of - David, Edward, Jaimee, and Kristen. The children enjoyed the benefits and challenges of an IBM family of the 1980’s. The Radio City Music Hall Christmas parties and rented out Rye Playland summer celebrations were clearly in the pro column, while moving every few years, at times, a con. 

By the late 80s, like many couples of that era, Brian and Marylin parted company. With almost all of the children in college, it was a fitting time for Brian to be honored with the opportunity to advise the American Ambassador to Hungary via the President's Commission on Economic Affairs Executive Exchange Program. During that time, the walls of the Iron Curtain came down and Brian’s financial business acumen was put to good use supporting the privatization of public corporations.  After the exchange program was complete, his skills were in high demand. He spent the following ten years assisting governments and businesses in the transition from public to private sector in Armenia, Bulgaria, Moldova, and The Republic of Georgia.  

Another one of Brian’s great achievements was his ability to nurture and sustain lifelong friendships. In addition to his friends and classmates from the old neighborhood in The Bronx, his Phi Kappa Theta brothers, and IBM colleagues, it seems that everywhere he went people could not help but feel a kinship with him and as a result he had friends the world over. Though he was constantly learning and exploring he was also a creature of habit and frequently visited the same locales year after year. The reciprocal fondness for those who were on his annual travel tours was clear when he would be accompanied by his children who marvelled at the inn keepers who knew him by name, the waitstaff who would have brown bread and a glass of the house red waiting for him, or the local band that would strike up a song they knew he loved. 

In the past few years, with his travel plans taking a much abridged form due to failing eyes and strained limbs, he made sojourns until it was impossible to carry on safely. His children thought the curtailing of travel should have been far sooner, but Brian had his own timeline for all things and they are comforted in knowing that he indeed lived every moment to its fullest.

In addition to his impressive career and remarkable friendships, Brian will be remembered for his love of Ireland (especially the music and people), football (especially The Giants), Italian fare (especially Chicken Francese) and an incredible memory. He is survived by his children David O’Connor, Edward O’Connor (Ann), Jaimee O’Connor (Mahesh), and Kristen O’Connor-Gunn (Cam) as well as 5 cherished grandchildren Krishna Bhaskar, Ciaran Bhaskar, Devi Bhaskar, Emmett Gunn, and Estie Gunn.  He is predeceased by his parents Patrick and Mary, his siblings Mary, Eileen, Owen and his infant son, John.

Visitation will be from 2-5 p.m., on Sunday November 22 at Riverdale-on-Hudson Funeral Home, 6110 Riverdale Ave. Bronx, NY. (Facial coverings are required and adherence to social distancing will be in effect.)

Funeral Liturgy on Monday November 23 at 9:45 am at St. Margaret of Cortona Church, Bronx, NY. Entombment Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Hawthorne, NY.