O’CONNOR, Kevin Michael O’Connor

Peacefully, surrounded by family, and in the presence of God, Kevin Michael O’Connor passed away on June 5, 2026, in his 89th year.

Devoted husband to Maureen (née O’Brien) and loving father of Kevin (Terry), Patrick (Jennifer), Ann Marie (Rick), and Michael (Jodie). Kevin has been predeceased by his siblings, Margaret (nee Fournier), Father Des O’Connor, and Terry O’Connor, leaving his siblings, Sister Phyllis O’Connor, Colleen (nee Dodge), and Jack O’Connor (Diane), to mourn his passing. Above all, Kevin treasured his role as Poppa to 16 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, who will miss being asked when they are getting married and Poppa’s oft-told corny jokes.

Kevin was born to Patrick and Ethel (née Sullivan) O’Connor on July 30, 1937, in Killaloe, Ontario. He grew up full of life and laughter at 15 Green Avenue in Kirkland Lake, Ontario, where the family had settled. It was a lively home, and a full one, shared with six siblings. Within those humble walls, Kevin’s deep and abiding faith in God first took root, a faith that would only deepen and grow right up until the final moments of his life.

From a young age, Kevin was an indifferent student and an exceptional hockey player. He played for the Holy Name Irish out of Kirkland Lake, a standout player when they captured the All-Ontario Juvenile Championship in 1955. His talent and drive propelled him to the Dixie Beehives, where he became an integral part of the team that won the Ontario Junior Championship in 1957. Kevin gave everything he had every time he stepped on the ice. Just ask anyone who ever laced their skates for a pick-up game on one of his “backyard” rinks, faithfully cleared behind each of his waterfront homes.

It was hockey that brought Kevin to Toronto and to the greatest gift of his life. One evening, he found himself on a double date. When his friend arrived with a young student nurse named Maureen O’Brien from St. Michael’s Hospital, Kevin asked her to dance; they did not sit down again that night. It was love at first sight, and the couple married in 1959, beginning a partnership that lasted 66 beautiful years.

With a young family growing and hockey no longer paying the bills, Kevin turned his considerable energy toward building a career. He joined London Life Insurance Company, and it quickly became clear he had found his calling. His warm, caring personality and calm leadership style made him a natural. Over the years, Kevin and Maureen moved through Port Hope, Peterborough, Orillia, Barrie, Ancaster, London, and Sarnia before settling in Belleville. Kevin rose to the position of Regional Vice President, a distinction he wore with pride. “Not bad for a kid from Kirkland Lake,” he would say.

After 40 remarkable years with London Life, Kevin was recruited as a senior executive at Manulife Financial, which took him and Maureen on one final grand adventure: three years in Manila, Philippines. True to form, Kevin and Maureen gave generously of their time and resources throughout their years abroad. They supported education and healthcare for those in need and left a lasting mark on the people they met. Kevin officially retired at 65, though “slowing down” was never really his style.

Kevin and Maureen returned to Killaloe, where they became cherished members of St. Andrew’s Parish and fast friends with Father Grant Neville. Kevin threw himself into volunteering with the Golden Lake Property Owners Association and many other causes. Ever the entertainer, Kevin rewrote his beloved Kirkland Lake Song, adapting the words to celebrate Golden Lake. In true Kevin fashion, despite being a famously tuneless singer, he performed it on stage at the Ontario Cottage Owners Association. The crowd, no doubt, loved every word. Kevin never needed much encouragement to strike up the original Kirkland Lake Song, and those who knew him won’t forget hearing Kevin belt it out with a grin from ear to ear. Try it yourself! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSD-0WDtOXI

In their later years, Kevin and Maureen had the opportunity to move to the apartments at St. Joseph’s Mother House on the shores of beautiful Lake Nipissing, thanks to Sister Phyllis. The couple found peace and a sense of belonging here within a vibrant Catholic community. For Kevin, the chance to attend daily Mass and live surrounded by faith was nothing short of a gift. He flourished in spirit and in soul.

Throughout his life, in every community that he called home, Kevin was a man who gave back. He was deeply connected to his parish wherever he lived, actively involved in COR movement for youth, Marriage Encounter, the Knights of Columbus, and, of course, old-timers’ hockey. He was a proud Rotarian, Cancer Society volunteer, a community builder, and a man whose door and heart were always open.

In addition to his faith and generosity, Kevin will be remembered as an enthusiastic card player and gifted storyteller. He rarely lost a game of euchre and delighted in beating the whole family at Push. He had a knack for finding humour in everyday life and loved retelling the stories that became part of family folklore: the weekly trip down the street for a single block of ice cream to share, how he had to use magazines in his pants for shin pads, hockey pucks made of wood, and the legendary long walk to school, which was an amazing 3 miles uphill in each direction through snow…these are the kind of stories where the grandchildren could mouth the punchlines right along with him, and often did. They are a special legacy.

Kevin spent his final days in the infirmary at St. Joseph’s Mother House, cared for with great tenderness and surrounded by love. The heart that had given so much to so many for so long simply knew it was time. Kevin passed with the certainty that he was going home to join his parents, his sister and brothers, along with all the family and friends who had gone before him.

To the very end, Kevin marvelled at a family whose size and warmth filled him with wonder. He expressed a deep and abiding gratitude for the love and support of his family and friends. We are the poorer for his absence and richer for having known him.

Rest well, Poppa.

If you would like to acknowledge Kevin’s passing, please direct a donation in lieu of flowers to The Sisters of St. Joseph of Sault Ste. Marie in Kevin’s name. E-Transfer – Treasury@csjssm.ca, or mail a cheque to 2025 Main St. West, North Bay, Ontario, P1B 2X6

Visitation will be held at Zohr Family Funeral Home, Killaloe on Friday, June 12, 2026 from 5:00pm until 7:00pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Andrews Catholic Church, Killaloe at 11:00am. The family invites you to join us for a luncheon and fellowship immediately following the service, in St. Andrews Church Hall. Tributes and condolences may be made online at www.zohrfuneralhome.com