Obituary of Roderick "Rory" Patrick O'Connor

RODERICK O'CONNOR Roderick Patrick O'Connor, named after the last king of Ireland was born in Cork, Ireland on March 9, 1944. He attended school at Christian Brothers College CBC. At the age of 15 he joined the Merchant Marines and sailed around the world on mostly Maersk Lines, a Scandinavian shipping company. He came to the U.S. in 1962, lived in Boston, working for John Hancock. Coming west, he worked for the Union Pacific Railroad and Santa Fe. He and Sharon met in 1967 and married 48 ½ years. He worked in trucking over the road in Iowa as well as locally. Rory came west in 1989 and worked for Albertsons driving for some 40 years total. He had many stories to tell and a great sense of adventure and learning. Rory made the room come alive with his presence. Hobbies were researching Aeronautics, shipping and a member of the Railway Historical Society. Space travel consumed his latest interest as well as history. Father was John Joseph O'Connor, mother, Kathleen Angelton O'Connor. Brother, Stephen O'Connor of South Africa, sister, Mary of India and John Joseph O'Connor of England preceded Rory in death. We know Roderick as Rod and Rory and is survived by his wife, Sharon Kay Smith O'Connor; daughter, Shannon Kathleen O'Connor and son, Rory Sean O'Connor. Granddaughter, Demi, grandsons, Andrew, Connor and Logan. As well as brother, Raymond Angelton and sister, Geraldine De Jesus of Boston and sister, Pamela Bowden of Ireland. Cousins, nieces and nephews in England, Ireland the United States and South Africa. Rory's impression on us will be forever and his humor resides in his children. He will be dearly missed by all. You are my strength, my courage, my reason. You are the wind in my sails. A memorial service will be held at the LDS Church at 7101 NE 166th Ave. Vancouver, WA 98682 on Saturday, July 30 from 1-5pm.