Hugh James O'Connor, Jr.

Of Yorkville

Hugh James O’Connor, Jr. was born on October 8, 1945 in Chicago, Illinois to Hugh James and Ann (nee Goede) O’Connor, Sr. He died Sunday, July 17, 2022 at home.

Hugh was educator for forty years for the Chicago Public Schools. He started his career in teaching on the south side of Chicago. His last assignment was teaching at Decatur Classical School which was a gifted and talented school. During his time there, the school was number one in the state of Illinois of which he was very proud to be a part.

In his younger days, he was a competitive figure skater. He really loved ice skating and loved to watch the Olympics to see all of the young skaters perform. He would fondly tell stories of his time as a figure skater.

His interests and hobbies were his five dogs Abigail, Olivia, Ryan, Gretel and Clancy. He also enjoyed hanging out with his friends at SWAY bar and Hunter’s bar. His real passion though was traveling. He and husband traveled to many foreign countries and exotic locations like Bora Bora and Zanzibar. He was fortunate enough to make a trip that completely circumnavigated the globe and included a safari in Tanzania. He traveled to Australia twice and loved feeding the kangaroo and holding the koala. He also was able to climb the Sydney Harbor bridge with his husband. His favorite city was Paris and he loved spending time with his husband there seeing the sights and exploring the streets during the many visits he made there. During Covid, he was able to make a second trip to Africa with his husband for a safari in Kenya and make a trek up the mountain to see the gorillas in Rwanda. He also spent time at Giraffe Manor in Nairobi where he was able to feed the giraffe and just “hang out “ with them while eating breakfast or reading a book.

He was a proud recipient of the NASA Award which included a trip to Florida to see a space shuttle launch. He had fond memories of watching the launch while sitting with the astronauts’ wives.

Despite having some major health issues in his later years, he didn’t let that stop him from enjoying life and seeing the world. He was always ready to take the next trip or have a party with friends.

The last couple of years of his life was spent planning and building his dream home with his husband.

He died peacefully with his husband by his side.

Hugh is survived by his husband William Kyle Barlow; his sisters Alice (George) Heidkamp and Mary Lou (Pat) McDonaugh. He was a loving uncle to his special niece Marianne Murphy as well as many other nieces, nephews, and great nieces and great nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents as well as his sister Pat (late Ralph Montoye).

Visitation Sunday, July 31, 2022 from 11:00 am until the time of the Funeral Service at 1:00 pm at Glueckert Funeral Home Ltd., 1520 North Arlington Heights Road, (4 blocks south of Palatine Road) Arlington Heights, IL 60004. Interment will be held privately.

Funeral Information and condolences can be given at www.GlueckertFuneralHome.com or (847) 253-0168.