David Anthony O’Connor, 74, of Tinton Falls, passed away peacefully March 30, 2022. Born Dec. 3, 1947 in Providence, Rhode Island, he was raised by his father David and mother Grace in Massapequa Park, New York with his sisters, Lois and Patricia, and his favorite dog Tramp.
After graduating from St. Leo College, he was drafted and served in Vietnam as a sergeant in the U.S. Army, Air Cavalry division where he received various medals of valor during his tour. He then became a resident of Monmouth Beach with his former wife, Margot Donnelly, and children Christopher and Kelly.
Dave continued his education at Monmouth College and University of Colorado. From there, he spent his entire career within the banking industry, holding various titles, retiring in 2011 as senior vice president at Kearny Bank. He was active in his community and a member of the Long Branch Chamber of Commerce, The Exchange Club, Long Branch Waterfront redevelopment, and a founding member of Monmouth Community Bank. He enjoyed the music of the 60s, beans, dancing “the turtle,” staying fit, reading fiction and traveling to his favorite location, New Hampshire.
In 1999, Dave married his love Jacquelin O’Connor (née Smith) and moved to Long Branch where the two of them enjoyed their favorite moments, laughing constantly and regularly walking on the beach and boardwalk.
Dave loved his family, whom he was happiest in the company of, especially during the holidays. Surviving him are his wife Jacquelin, children Christopher D. O’Connor and his former wife Jodie, Kelly Kastritsios and her husband Peter; his stepsons, Edward Collins, Joseph Collins and his wife Paula, and Dennis Vandunk and his wife Leide; and his 10 grandchildren, Tyler, Paige, Quinn, Vanessa, Mason, Luke, Blaze, Neve, Ketchelly and London.
Visitation was April 4 at John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, Middletown. A Mass was offered April 5 at St. Mary Mother of God Church, Middletown. Interment followed at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dementia Society of America at dementiasociety.org.
The article originally appeared in the April 7 – 13, 2022 print edition of The Two River Times.
