John Joseph ‘Johnny’ O’Connor Jr., 84
John Joseph “Johnny” O’Connor Jr., formerly of Acton, passed away peacefully on May 22, 2026 — in hospice, with his wife Gretchen by his side — after a brief battle with glioblastoma. He was 84.
Born April 7, 1942, in New York City on his father’s birthday, he spent his first years attending a Catholic nursery school, then moved to Arizona, New Mexico, and Philadelphia while his father served in the Army and his mother worked. In 1948, the family settled in Trenton, New Jersey. In 1956, Johnny earned a scholarship to St. Joseph’s Preparatory School in Philadelphia, where he commuted by train from Trenton for four years, graduating in 1960. He worked for a year to earn money for college and was accepted to Colby College in Maine. He majored in the classics and earned a scholarship based on his achievement in Latin and Greek studies at St. Joseph’s.
At Colby College he met Gretchen (Wollam) in a Russian language class that both were attending, and they were married in the summer of 1965 following his graduation. He taught English at the Hinckley School in Maine from 1965 to 1968, where his brother Eugene was enrolled during the same period. Gretchen and Johnny spent the summer of 1966 in the Soviet Union, where they studied Russian at Moscow State University, and traveled across Europe. He left the Hinckley School in 1968 to attend Harvard University, attaining a master’s degree in Russian area studies in 1972. His sons Daniel and Mark were born in 1968 and 1970, respectively.
In 1972, he took a position teaching history at Acton Academy, where he would stay for over 30 years, enriching the lives of hundreds of students with his humor, wit, creativity, and curiosity. It would be an understatement to say he was popular among the faculty. What made John unique was his ability to model and teach excellence within a small school built on educating the elite, while remaining true to his humble roots. He was a representative of the broader community. Most important, students, faculty, and parents appreciated his gifts.
He retired at 62 to lead a quieter life, spending his time on his creative interests: making movies, playing guitar, composing original songs with his son Mark, and reading for pleasure. In 2013, Gretchen and Johnny moved from Acton to Groton.
He was predeceased by his brother Eugene and his parents John J. O’Connor Sr. and Kathleen O’Connor. He is survived by his wife of 61 years Gretchen of Groton; his son Daniel (Dan) and wife Iris O’Connor of Bradenton, Florida, and his son Mark and wife Melissa Oothout of Dunstable; his brother James (Jimmy) and wife Kendalee of Portland, Maine; and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to hungryformusic.org.
Family and friends are warmly invited to gather in celebration of Johnny’s life on June 27 from 1-3 p.m. at Rose of Sharon at Blossom Hill, 101 Pleasant Street, Dunstable, one of Johnny’s favorite spots. Light refreshments will be served as we honor his life and the joy he brought to others. All who knew Johnny are welcome to join us in remembrance and celebration. For his online guestbook, visit McGaffiganFuneral.com.
