Remembering Tom O'Connor

    Writing from Chicago
    Wednesday, December 12, 2012

    There were two shocks upon hearing of the death of Tom O’Connor, the longtime teaching pro who doubled as the women’s golf coach at the University of St. Francis in Joliet.
    First, that he had died. O’Connor was always full of life, a twinkle in the eye, a story to tell, a player to help, a prospect to recruit for a future Saints team.
    Second, that he was 70. O’Connor, 70? The sun-kissed Irish face of his was a bit weather-beaten, as can he expected of someone who lived the majority of his waking hours outside. But 70? Go figure. He never acted his age.
    O’Connor died on Sunday, victim of an apparent heart attack. It was just over a year ago that his wife Virginia died.
    Always supportive, O’Connor was one of the first advertisers in Illinois Golfer’s print edition. Eager to see it succeed, he was looking forward to the return of the publication in 2013.
    A golf professional since 1969, soon after his tour of duty for the Marine Corps in Vietnam, the Chicago native began to focus on teaching in 1987, taking a position as director of instruction for the Joliet Park District. Three years later, he was on the teaching staff at Cog Hill, added a radio show on Joliet’s WJOL to his portfolio, and became one of the better-known teachers in the Chicago area.
    He went out on his own in 1997, opening his golf academy at Broken Arrow in Lockport, relocating it to Inwood, the Joliet Park District course on the west side of Joliet, in 2010.
    O’Connor became coach of the Saints’ golf team in 2003, a position he cherished. The team captured the CCAC Fall Classic title last year after five straight runner-up finishes. Krystal Garritson, a freshman on the team, called O’Connor’s passion for the game and the team “an unselfish journey” on www.gofightingsaints.com.
    "I will never forget when Tom first applied for the position here," athletic director Dave Laketa said on the Saints’ website. "He wanted it so bad that I think he had everyone who ever received a lesson from him contact me.  That was a lot of phone calls – I think from everyone that had ever picked up a golf club in Joliet.  I knew we couldn't go wrong in hiring Tom with that backing."
    O’Connor was the recipient of the Bill Heald Career Achievement Award from the Illinois PGA in 2009 for his success as a teacher. Five of his students have gone on to become pros themselves.
    O’Connor is survived by three adult daughters, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
    Visitation is Thursday, Dec. 13, at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Rd., Joliet, from 2-8 p.m., with the funeral service thereafter.
    – Tim Cronin