Thomas P. O'Connor

Wilbraham - Thomas P. O'Connor died on August 11, 2024 at Baystate Medical Center. Thomas was born on February 15,1945 and was a lifelong resident of Wilbraham, Massachusetts where he was a partner in the family business, O'Connors Goodyear Service Center on Boston Road in Wilbraham. After graduating from Cathedral High School in 1963 he served in the Army National Guard. When not working, Tom enjoyed restoring and driving a variety of cars with a focus on Hot Rods and Corvettes. Tom wouldn't miss a chance to go to a car or an air show whenever he travelled. He also went to Barrett Jackson car Auctions to admire the many finely restored automobiles. During his forties Tom worked for American Airlines Operations at Bradley Field in Connecticut. While in his twenties, inspired by his childhood television hero, "Sky King", Tom's sights were set on flying. He earned an instrument rated pilot's license at Barnes Airport in Westfield and subsequently purchased a Cessna 172. He took many trips to the islands surrounding Massachusetts and Connecticut and any and every airport that could be a day trip. Flights down the Hudson and around the Statue of Liberty were always a highlight for guests as was a flight to Kitty Hawk, North Carolina where the Wright brothers had the first flight. He also flew to Oshkosh, Wisconsin for the annual Experimental Aircraft Show. Tom was an active member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). Tom was always eager to travel taking ocean cruises and tours in the U.S., Canada, Europe and often went to Leahill, County Cork, Ireland to visit his aunt Kathleen. Tom proudly obtained an Irish passport because of his Irish ancestry. Tom liked sun, surf and escapes to his Florida apartment once lymphoma in 2012 curtailed his ability to work. The family is grateful to Dr. Dennis Cooper at Yale/Smilow Hospital for treating him through three remissions. Thomas P. O'Connor leaves behind his wife Evelyn Goss, his son, Anthony Maspo and wife, Laura of Holyoke and his grandsons Joe and Jack, all of whom he was very proud. He also leaves his sister, Kathleen Larkin of Scottsdale, Arizona, brother, Kevin O'Connor and his wife, Marie; two sisters-in-law, Patricia O'Connor and Beverly Adamick, his cousin, Nancy Parent and nieces and nephews. Tom was predeceased by his brother, Terrence O'Connor and sister, Marylou O’Connor. From his youth Tom was blessed with friends, Paul Murray and Robert Eaton and a friend he hoped to meet up with on the other side, Jack Mayer. Whenever Tom's family and friends look up at the sky, I hope that they will picture Tom flying above and at peace. All services will be private. New England Funeral & Cremation Center, 25 Mill Street, Springfield, MA has been entrusted with the arrangements. Please visit Tom’s memorial page at www.nefcc.net for expressions of sympathy.