Philip R. O'Connor

Dr. Philip R. O’Connor, of Chicago, IL, died peacefully on Sept. 26, 2018. Loving husband of Lynn Carlson; dear stepfather of Jeffrey, Greg and Melissa (Ian) Carlson (Riddle); beloved grandfather of Olivia & Isabella; fond brother of Kathy O’Connor, and Marilyn O’Connor. Fond uncle of Emily (Alex) Watson and Ryan (Martine) Gordon and great-uncle of Sona. Proceeded in death by his parents Philip J. O’Connor and Irene O'Connor (nee Peters).

Dr. Phil O’Connor had an extensive consulting career most recently serving as the President of PROactive Strategies. Dr. O’Connor was a nationally-recognized expert on the development and implementation of competitive strategies in the insurance and utilities industries. In fact, the Wall Street Journal documented his efforts in a feature written in 1987 and many referred to him as being the “pied piper” for this vision. In addition, he was once called “…the man with the vision, determination and leadership to guide the Illinois retail market to the success it is today.”

Dr. O’Connor also had extensive government and political experience, having been appointed to various boards and commissions by five Governors over four decades. The former Chairman of the Illinois Commerce Commission (1983-1985), Director of the Illinois Department of Insurance (1979-1982) and a member of the Illinois State Board of Elections (1998-2004). He served as a kitchen cabinet and advisor to countless Governors and politicians, but most notably ran the successful campaigns for Governor, electing Jim Thompson and Jim Edgar. In the words of former Governor Jim Thompson, “He was just a superb chairman of the ICC and a superb director (of insurance) and they still talk about him in those two agencies.”

Dr. O’Connor’s commitment to public service led him to volunteer and serve the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq (2007-2008) working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. State Department as an advisor to the Iraqi Ministry of Electricity.

Dr. O’Connor served on numerous boards and charities. He served as a Member of the Board of the Big Shoulders Foundation for the schools of the Archdiocese of Chicago, Haymarket Center, Misericordia and was the founding member of the Alumni Board of the Loyola University John Felice Rome Center. He served as an Independent Director of Delphi Financial Group Inc. and the Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company. Beyond his charitable work, he is widely considering to be a mentor to hundreds of people throughout Illinois government and in business. He would routinely meet with people out of the goodness of his heart.

A magna cum laude graduate of Loyola University of Chicago, Phil received his Masters and Doctorate in Political Science from Northwestern University.

Visitation from 4:00 pm-9:00 pm on Friday, Oct. 5 at Drake & Son Funeral Home, 5303 North Western Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, 60625. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St Alphonsus Catholic Church, 1429 West Wellington Ave., Chicago, on Saturday, Oct. 6 at 9:30am. Family and friends will meet at Queen of Heaven Cemetery Interment Chapel for a 1:00 pm committal service, 1400 S. Wolf Road, Hillside, Illinois 60162.

In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to Misericordia Heart of Mercy (www.misericordia.com).