Obituary of Ward J. O'Connor

O'Connor, Ward Joseph, 80, of South Portland, ME, passed away peacefully on Friday Nov. 6th. Ward (Bucky) was born in Jersey City, he graduated from Bayonne High School and attended St. Peters College. Ward lived in Rockaway, NJ most of his life. After retiring from NJ Transit as a Train Conductor, Ward retired to Portland, ME. In addition to his many years of service for (Erie Lackawanna Railroad) NJ Transit he also had a construction business, Award Construction. Ward was very handy to have around when you needed something fixed! Prior to working for the railroad, he worked with his Father in construction. He was a Park Police Officer for Morris County, a Rockaway Township Police Officer and he was a member of the Knights of Columbus for many years. His passions in life were Ballroom Dancing and Gardening. Ward was never one to turn down a dance opportunity and he was known for his vegetables. He was a devout Catholic. He is survived by his 4 beloved children, Kathy Hawkins, Kimberly Colwell, John O'Connor and Kelly Green; 10 cherished grandchildren, Jim Koval, Shane and Jesse Hawkins, Nicole, Christopher, and Melissa Colwell, Lilly and Eva Tedford, Milo O'Connor, and Abraham Green, Jr.; his loving Mother, Margaret Moore-O'Connor; caring siblings, Jim, John, Brian, Bradley, and Lynn O'Connor; and many nieces and nephews. A Memorial Visitation will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 17th, from 4 – 7 pm at Norman Dean Home for Services, 16 Righter Ave., Denville, NJ 07834. Burial will be on Wednesday, Nov. 18th at St. Cecilia's Cemetery, Mount Hope Ave., Rockaway, time to be announced. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ward's memory to American Cancer Society, 7 Ridgedale Avenue, Suite 103, Cedar Knolls, NJ 07927. Please leave a condolence for his family.