Timothy O'Connor

Date of Death: October 25, 2014

service

Tuschen-Newcomer Funeral Home

302 Columbus Street

Sun Prairie, WI 53590

Saturday 11/29, 11:30 am

Timothy J. O'Connor of Madison passed away on Saturday, October 25, 2014 after a determined battle with cancer. Tim was born September 10, 1949 in Chicago, the son of David J. O'Connor and Mary Ann (Ryan) O'Connor.
Tim grew up in Sun Prairie, attended Sacred Hearts School, Edgewood High School, and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1975 with a degree in computer programming. Tim worked for Sentry Insurance in Informational Technology from 1976 until his retirement at the end of 2012. During those years he lived in Phoenix, Arizona; Atlanta, Georgia; Stevens Point, Wisconsin and finally, Madison. Tim's love of the outdoors and of travel took him throughout Europe as a young man and, in later years, to New Zealand, Patagonia, Hawaii, Alaska, Kenya and many of our national parks. Tim enjoyed good food and was an early morning regular at the Farmers' Market for mushrooms, cheese and bacon.
The oldest of eight children, Tim quietly kept watch over his brothers and sisters. He was a gentle and intelligent man with a keen wit and an offbeat sense of humor that was the delight of family and friends. Tim was grateful for the friendship of Dave & Susie Devine and James Mertens, among others.
Tim is survived by two brothers, Thomas (Joan) O'Connor of Sun Prairie, Edward (Donna) Dwyer-O'Connor of Seattle, and four sisters, Mary Therese (Thomas) Ladell of Madison, Eileen (Paul) Hogg of Sun Prairie, Julia (Michael) Hegge of Monona, and Noreen O'Connor (Scott) Topel of Madison. He is also survived by 19 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Mark.
Tim was constantly amazed by the dedication of the nursing staff that cared for him in the course of his illness. His battle with cancer was fueled by a sense of dignity and unending hope, even to his last days. Thinking of those he cared about, he said “Why would I want to leave anyone behind sooner than I have to?”
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to MARC-East (Madison Area Rehabilitation Center) at 66 Buttonwood Court, Madison, WI 53718, in honor of Tim's brother Mark or to the International Crane Foundation, P.O. Box 447, Baraboo, WI 53913, where Tim spent a pleasant Sunday in May.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 29, 2014 at the Tuschen-Newcomer Funeral Home, 302 Columbus St. in Sun Prairie with Monsignor Duane Moellenberndt presiding. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until time of service at the funeral home. A luncheon will follow.
A good man who will be greatly missed by family and friends.
Tuschen-Newcomer Funeral Home
& Cremation Service
Sun Prairie, WI 608-837-5400
www.newcomerfh.com

Newcomer Funeral Home

Light a candle Light a candle

Flowers & Gifts

Tuschen-Newcomer Funeral Home

302 Columbus Street

Sun Prairie, WI 53590

Map

Saturday 11/29, 11:30 am

Send Flowers & Gifts

See Condolences

Tim was my friend from the time I moved to Wisconsin. Whether we were working on a technical challenge, or just solving the world's problems at lunch, I always appreciated his wit and admired his intelligence. I will miss him greatly.

I went to high school with Tim but hadn't seen him in many years until a couple of years ago at our 45th High School Reunion. My deepest sympathies to Tim's family on the passing of a good man.

Six Scenes from 50 Years of Friendship: 1. As 1966 seniors at Edgewood High, we were separated by the English teacher because we laughed out loud at each other's jokes once too often; 2. Even though not a sports fan, in the late '70s Tim joined Susie and I as football season ticket holders at Arizona State University. Thus, even though he didn't much care, he was able to experience the surreal atmosphere the night legendary coach Frank Kush was fired just before a game; 3. After years of struggle, sometime in the '80s Tim announced he had successfully conquered his drinking addiction and he meant it for the rest of his life; 4. Not only did Tim fly out to Arizona for our 20th anniversary party in 1995, but he was the only one that offered to help set up the festivities; 5. Writers deeply appreciate readers and whenever we visited Tim in Stevens Point in the early years of the 21st century, he always mentioned he had looked at my columns in the Tucson Weekly; 6. In April of this year, Tim came to Arizona for the last time and we took a hike on the Arizona Trail. Up cactus covered hillsides and down into mesquite lined valleys, the route went on toward the horizon, going on , and on, and on...

I only met Tim a couple of times, during visits to my friend, his sister, Therese, and her family through the years. The thoughts that came to me while reading his beautiful obituary had to do with his large and loving family and how they care for each other. From my vantage point in Ohio, it was clear that his siblings were making sure Tim was with someone throughout his illness, no matter what. His nieces and nephews have had a lifetime of witness to their family's ability to love. Tim, in his last months, and no doubt throughout his life, was a big part of that wonderful gift. May he rest in peace.

Quite…yes, dedicated..beyond reproach, fun…absolutely, technician…of the highest caliber. Tim and I worked together during a major system development at Sentry and also that systems eventual move to Stevens Point from Scottsdale. The successful move of that system was in large part Tim's willingness to relocate along with the system. Tim was a classy guy in his own right….a gentlemen and a gentle man. Tim was appreciated and loved by all. My sympathy to the family, Tim was a sweetheart of a man.

Tim was an amazing man. His kindness, social responsibility, intelligence, commitment, intuitiveness was an inspiration to so many. I know, having known, and worked closely with Tim for many years, he made me a better person. I am so grateful to have known you. Rest in Peace, dear friend. My sincere sympathies to family. May you find comfort in knowing he is always with you in your hearts.

What a brilliant mind! I worked with Tim his entire career at Sentry. At times it was long distance and the last 20+ years I was privileged to work in Stevens Point with him. What a dedicated person. He was our 'go to guy' when it came to programming questions. I will remember Tim's great laugh, when something tickled him, his laughter would ring out. He will be greatly missed.

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.