The wake for Father Neil D. O’Connor, senior priest, retired, begins with vespers at 4 p.m. Nov. 18 in St. Peter Church, 35777 Center Ridge Road, North Ridgeville, with Bishop Edward Malesic presiding. Father Joe Workman will be the homilist. The wake will continue until 7 p.m.
Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost will be the main celebrant at the funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Nov. 19 in St. Peter Church, with Father Joe Previte as the homilist.
Father O’Connor, 83, died on Nov. 14.
He was born on Sept. 27, 1941 to the late Patrick and Margaret (Denehy) O’Connor.
Father O’Connor was educated at St. Peter School in North Ridgeville; Elyria Catholic High School, Elyria; John Carroll University, University Heights; Borromeo College Seminary, Wickliffe; and Saint Mary Seminary, Cleveland.
Bishop Clarence Issenmann ordained Father O’Connor to the priesthood for service to the Diocese of Cleveland on May 31, 1969, in St. Gregory the Great Church, South Euclid.
His first assignment after ordination was as parochial vicar of Assumption Parish, Brook Park. On June 30, 1975, he was appointed chaplain, Cleveland Central Catholic High School, with residence at the Carmelite Monastery in Cleveland. Father O’Connor was appointed principal of Cleveland Central Catholic on July 1, 1980.
On Aug. 4, 1992, he was named pastor of St. Columbkille Parish, Parma, where he served until his retirement on Nov. 30, 2016.
Those who knew him said Father O’Connor enjoyed his ministry to students, particularly during his time at Cleveland Central Catholic. They said his faith and trust in God assisted him as he endured health issues in his later years.
Interment will be at St. Peter Cemetery in North Ridgeville.