Thomas Charles O'Connor

We lost a Montana legend, father, husband, and best friend on January 24, 2022. Tommy O'Connor passed away peacefully at home with his family following a stroke. Tom was born on March 3, 1934 and lived his entire life as a resident of Great Falls. Tom is survived and dearly missed by his wife of sixty-two years, Donna O’Connor; as well as his children, K.C. O’Connor, Tara (Greg) O’Connor Slader, Tim O’Connor, and Anne (Sean) O’Connor Dimond. Tom is “Papa” to his four grandchildren, Stasia and Emiley Demick and Ave and Isaiah Dimond. Tom is in our hearts and will be missed by many including extended family, nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless dear friends.

Dad's love of Big Sky Country never waned, he graciously shared his love of Montana history, mountains, rivers, fishing, hunting, skiing, rafting, and hiking with us all. Outside of raising his family, he was a passionate tile rummy player, huntsman, and jokester.

Tom graduated from St. Mary’s and then Central Catholic High School in 1952, the same year he placed first in downhill ski racing at King’s Hill, a sport he loved dearly, and continued to enjoy well into his 80’s. Tommy graduated from University of Montana in 1956 and later was drafted to the army, serving time in Europe as a statistician. He shared fond memories of skiing in Austria and Saint Anton on his breaks; it was just like him to find the golden opportunity in every endeavor. After completing his military duty abroad, Tom went to San Francisco for Mortician School in 1958. While in San Francisco, during a chance meeting of friends outside of a church service, he locked eyes with Donna Marie Gillis, and immediately knew she was the one. On February 6, 1960, the two committed to a lifetime of love, devotion, and laughter. They returned to Great Falls, where they shared a wonderful family and partnership for sixty-two years.

Tom took over O’Connor Funeral Home, the family business, in 1959 and ran it successfully for twenty-three years before retiring in 1982. He was an avid skier, helping build the original lodge at King’s Hill with his brother-in-law, Danny Moran. Later in life, Tom volunteered with Eagle Mount, taking people with disabilities skiing alongside his long-time best friend Bill Macfadden. Tom was a committed member of Alcoholics Anonymous, and his sobriety was a big part of his life. He sponsored and mentored many members in his forty-five years of sobriety. The impact he made on the AA program and community is endless. Tom joins his parents, William G. “Bill” O'Connor and Mary Valentine (Mae) Kidd, as well as his sisters, Catherine O’Connor Moran, Helen O'Connor, Pat O’Connor Thares, and Nellie O’Connor Tout Kraus in heaven.

Join us to celebrate Tom
Memorial Service Friday, April 22, 2022, at 10:30 a.m.
O’Connor Memorial Chapel, 2425 8th Ave. North, Great Falls, MT 59401
Reception will follow the Memorial Service
Columbus Center, 1601 2nd Ave North, Great Falls, MT 59401

Those who wish to donate in memory of Tom may give to Eagle Mount Therapeutic Recreation Great Falls, MT, https://www.eaglemount.net/donate/ or mail checks payable to Eagle Mount, PO Box 2866, Great Falls, MT 59403.The memorial service will be live-streamed on O’Connor Funeral Home & Crematory Facebook page starting at 10:25 a.m. on April 22, 2022.