Edgar Christopher O’Connor
September 28, 1930 ~ April 16, 2020
Edgar Christopher O’Connor, age 89, Greenwood, passed away Thursday, April 16, 2020. He was born in Indianapolis on September 28, 1930 to the late Harlan P. and Marie Louise O’Connor. He was the youngest of three brothers and is survived by Harlan P. (“Bud”) O’Connor. Richard Joseph O’Connor predeceased him in 1986.
Edgar was a 1949 graduate of Cathedral High School and a 1953 graduate of the University of Notre Dame. He joined the Army and was stationed at Fort Knox in Kentucky. Edgar drove a tank and was in clerical services. He was also a writer for the Army Fort Knox paper. He was a well-respected and successful banking professional in downtown Indianapolis for most of his adult life, advancing from teller at age 15 to vice president. He was a member of Knights of Columbus. He was a volunteer member of the board for Damar Homes and a volunteer elections poll worker.
He met the love of his life, Mary Lou Bullock, in high school. They were married in 1953 at Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis and moved into their first home in military housing in Lexington, Kentucky. They moved back to Indianapolis to begin raising their family. A devout Catholic, he and his family attended and supported several churches, including Sacred Heart in Indianapolis, and continued supporting several charities to this day.
His wife, Mary Lou, and son, Kevin Joseph, predeceased him in 2008 and 1983, respectively. He is survived by daughters Marie Clare O’Connor, Kathleen Therese O’Connor, Eileen O. Ellis, Carol Frances Simpson, and Sharon Mary Van Tilburg; granddaughters Kimberly Therese Didrikson, Erin N. Stewart, Amanda B. Smith, Meredith P. Ellis, Claire Van Tilburg, and seven great grandchildren. Ed spent the last few years of his life under the dedicated care of staff at Forest Creek Village Nursing Home, for which the family is profoundly grateful.
“Ed” will always be remembered and cherished. May he be at peace and be reunited with his beloved wife, son, and all his family in Heaven.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Sacred Heart Parish, 1530 Union Street, Indianapolis, IN 46225. A private committal service will be held on Tuesday, April 21, 2020, at Calvary Cemetery. O’Riley Funeral Home is serving the family.
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Friends and Family uploaded 15 to the gallery.
I’m Scott Mussmann. I’m pretty sure I knew your family. If not I’m sorry for bothering you. I am so sorry to hear about your father. I was a good friend of Kevin, spider. Lots of memories of you all. Again so very sorry for your loss. Hope you all are healthy. Scott.
My name is Sylvia Crockett. I am a relative of Edgar O’Connor as I never met him but know who he is. His parents are buried with O’Reillys and Maddens. The O’Reilly’s are my grandparents, my mother Virginia O’Reilly Crockett. My grandfather was Raymond J O’Reilly (related to Clara Madden O’Connor). I am sorry for your loss.
Hi O’Connor children. My name is Sue Mandabach, I was your mom’s hairdresser for many years at JCPenney. I got to know them both when your mom was babysitting at the old homestead, and each of you thru your mom sharing her love for you all. Sharon came to the salon as the youngest one with mom a few times. I will remember your dad and his quiet love for each of you, God Bless your families, as your parents are united once again.
Dear Dad, I will miss you and cherish all our family vacations. One comes to mind when you were driving the family in the VW Bus to the Smoky Mountains. In the Smoky Mountains, the brakes stopped working. As children, we were having fun, mom was praying as you ever so skillfully and safely navigated us down a hill. But soon after the bus stalled; all six of us kids dressed alike (akin to the Von Trapps) and including mom, got out and pushed the VW until the engine engaged! While pushing the VW, I saw Tourists filming us instead of the black bears across the road. I am still smiling, so many memories. I will miss the most, your calls to me on my birthday, singing me happy birthday in your beautiful voice. Love you dad; your childhood name for me “tiger lil and kath from kath land.
I have the fondest memories of Mr. O’Connor — one of the kindest, gentlest souls I have ever known. He and his dearest Mary Lou were like a second set of parents for me ever since their daughter Sharon and I met in first grade and became the best of friends. How comforting to think of the happy reunion in heaven with this sweet couple and their beloved Kevin! I offer my deepest condolences to the entire O’Connor family, who have always been family to me. (Our shared Irish heritage is something else I will always treasure!)
Dear O’connor’s, I am so sorry about the passing of your father. Your mom was my children’s babysitter for many years, but I got to know Ed when we would go out for a dinner at Christmas time. My fondest memory of you father was seeing him every year at Sacred Heart Easter mass that my family attended there with my mother. I always looked forward to seeing him there and catching up. I didn’t see him there last year and of course this year we all celebrated at home. It’s always hard to loose such a special loved one. Know that he is in my prayers as are all of you. Thecla Gossett
I worked for Ed at INB at 20th and Meridian when I was 20 years old . Ed was a kind man and always a gentleman. We had lots of characters who banked at this branch. It did not take too much for them to embarrass Ed. I was so glad I got to work for him and Betty Williams took me under her wings and we became life long friends. She and Ed were very close too. I am glad I got to see Ed a couple of years ago at, I think, at Walgreens with one of you girls. We talked for a while and I really think he remembered me even with his illness at the time. I am so glad I had the honor of working for such a fine man. Thinking of all of you. Cheri (Minnich) Sallee
I tend to treat the O’Connor boys — Dick, Bud, and Edgar — as one. They were such a part of my life, especially in the growing-up years. Our families celebrated most every Christmas and Easter together, plus gatherings throughout the year. The boys must have regarded me, being ten years younger than their youngest, as part of the next generation. “Little Fritzie” probably came to their minds. I think they liked playing with my toys on Christmas and hunting eggs on Easter. I remember one Christmas at the dinner table when Bud and I were trying to signal Edgar via the telegraph that Santa brought me. Of course there was Charlie the alligator in the canvas-lined pond in the backyard on Ruckle St. I think that was all Dick’s big idea. With Edgar now gone, another part of my life has slipped away. My mother, “Nenny” to the boys, often pointed out their positive traits that she thought I should follow, and maybe I did. And now, I still have Bud to show me the proper direction in life. Edgar’s death saddens me more than I can say. You O’Connor girls have our deepest sympathy. Love, Fritz. Penny joins me in this memory and sends her love.
Edgar was such a kind, gentle man, with a wonderful sense of humor. I enjoyed spending time with him when I was in my 20s, in particular. We often met for lunch, went to Pacer games or just talked on the phone. He will be missed, but there’s some solace in knowing he is now with God.
Thank you mom and dad, for giving us a home surrounded by love, humility, forgiveness, acceptance, tradition and faith. I will miss you dad, but I am mostly happy that you are in heaven with Mom, and Kev. Erin and Amanda will certainly miss their papaw but also happy now he’s in heaven with grandma. By the way in case someone is reading this that worked with dad at the bank when we were kids I have to confess that we used empty moneybags to trick-or-treat with. It was so cool. I’m sure dad had permission or perhaps they were not used more than once and that’s why we were able to use them. I know there’s no other way that would’ve happened! Carol
To the O’Connor family, You have our deepest sympathy at this time of the home going of your wonderful dad and grandpa. Keep those memories alive by sharing them with one another and enjoy the laughs you had together. Thankful he is again together with your mom(grandma) where there is no sickness or pain. Thinking of your family and praying for you. Sincerely, Mr & Mrs Bruce VanTilburg
Thank you so much and loved reading your tribute! We so enjoyed our family gatherings and visiting with Fritz and Genevieve! Kathleen O’Connor (one of the O’Connor Girls).
Dear Vicki, We love your tribute and consider you a member of our family, especially your trusted friendship all these year with Sharon. Your mom, dad and you/family are stellar examples of the best of humanity.
Marie, Kathleen, Eileen, Carol and Sharon, I’m so sorry for the loss of your dear father. As others have said, he was a kind and gentle man. He and your mother were gracious enough to come to many family functions at our home, representing the generation we lost with the early passing of my parents, Dick and Bernice. When my youngest needed to interview someone about his wartime experience for a school project, your dad kindly agreed and we had a wonderful visit. I saw your dad a couple times at the nursing home — once when he called me at work to tell me he didn’t get the TV section in his morning Star! So I delivered it to him. His room was decorated with pictures from his favorite sports teams. 🙂 We had a nice visit, although I did set off the alarm when I opened the wrong door. I will miss him. Peace to all of you — Maureen, Bernie, Erin, Ellen, Evin and Ethan Gilmer
I have known my Uncle Edgar as such a gentle soul. And he was always smiling. I too remember his days at INB on Meridian. I had recently opened my first checking account and couldn’t get it to balance. I called him and he met me at the branch. In no time, he fixed my math and showed me how to balance that account to the penny. Cousins, I am so sorry for your loss. But he won. He’s at peace. May God’s peace comfort you. He was a wonderful man. Janet
Dear Dad, family and friends My father will forever be remembered for his kindness, understanding love and faith. I thank you dad and mom for giving me the tools I needed to live in this world and to always be thankful for each day. Also what a wonderful grandpa you have been to Claire. God bless you dad. Be a peace.
Dear Carol, I remember we use to play hide and seek in the bank as children!
At Cathedral, Ed was a kind and respectful classmate. I’m sure his life lived the same.
Thank you, all of you who remember and love him. I have countless beautiful memories in my heart to cherish, not least of all-his excitement for Space travel, his love of driving, sports, and fast food and donuts…and deeply-his faith. He & Mom both has such a strong faith. One short memory not too many years ago right after the Colts-Patriots Super Bowl…Dad was living at Forest Creek and his dementia was progressing, but we were still able to get him out…Dad and I went to Starbucks and they had these little football shaped cookies—I got him one and asked him what he thought: “Looks a little deflated to me”….Touchdown, Dad!!! Be in Peace ߒš
Loving memory and sense you’re my sister, as i live in Massachusetts, I will give you a “pass” on that comment, re: deflate. Love you all so much
I love my father and miss him beyond words can express. I have spent many years being his caretaker. This included almost daily taking him places of enjoyment he might otherwise have gotten to do. Once dad was in the nursing home I spent several times in rehab with him. We would stay together as much as possible. Movies, Notre Dame and Colts football, basketball, baseball, etc to watch with pizza, chicken, etc. Church on Sunday at Sacred Heart then go to Long’s Bakery, then back to my home when I could still physically do that. I would cook his favorites all day. In nice weather we ate outside or front porch. We would stay for dinner also. We had so many conversations about our family especially mom and Kevin. Stories going back to when we where little kids. I wish I had the same opportunity with mom but she passed never coming back home after lung surgery. I often tried to figure out why God kept me around all these yrs with serious health problems of 30 yrs. Many times almost passing away myself. So God saved me for Dad since my other sisters were not available. If it wasn’t for the coronavirus I’m sure Dad would have lived way into his 90’s. Thank you God for both Mom, Dad, and my sisters. We love each other so much and we will stay together as a family moving forward.
Uncle Edgar was about the nicest man you’d want to know. Life being what it is, I had not seen him for a few years. But, in thinking of him, it made me recall growing up how much I enjoyed his steady nature and genuine interest in what was going on my little world. He was a gentleman in the truest sense; I wish there were more like him. When re-opened, I find a Denny’s somewhere, get a meal and think of him. This simple task of remembrance exemplifies the Uncle Edgar I remember. Grand Slams for the house!
I found this while going through old pictures. Uncle Edgar is fondly remembered.