Fred S. O'Connor

Longtime coach and teacher ("Mr. O.") with a love for his wife and family, the craps table, his Catholic faith, and waffles with strawberry ice cream (in no particular order).

Fred O'Connor, 82, of Pensacola, passed away on December 29, 2025, after a brief hospitalization.

Fred was born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1943 to Fred and Mary Ellen O'Connor, but his hometown (always and forever—he would gladly tell you) was Forest Park, Illinois. Nearly everyone knew Fred's name there; though, more often than not, they wouldn't use it. He was "Buster" if you went to school with him and "Mr. O." or "Coach" if you knew him from his teaching days.

Fred moved to Forest Park as a child when his dad's job with Mobil Oil took them to the Chicago area. He attended St. Bernardine Elementary School and St. Francis High School before graduating from DePaul University with a B.A. in Education. It was there that he first married, had three children, and began his 37-year teaching career—first at St. Michael's High School (Chicago), then Field Stevenson Elementary and Middle School. Teaching paid the bills, but coaching was his passion. His high expectations were rooted in the belief he held in every student and player, and his impact extended far beyond the classroom and basketball court. Many of those kids kept in touch with Fred long into their adulthood.

It was also in Forest Park that Fred first met Tracey (Schnell) O'Connor when they were in their twenties. It was a star-crossed love. (Fred was Catholic! Tracey was Lutheran!) They went their separate ways but kept up with the twists and turns of each other's lives. In 2004, they reconnected—first by phone and then with visits back and forth to Pensacola, Forest Park, and Las Vegas a time or two. (We all know how Fred loved the casino!)

Tracey convinced Fred to leave for warmer weather in Pensacola, where they married in 2007. He hated to leave his friends in Illinois, but they made frequent trips back over the years. It turned out the Catholic-Protestant thing wasn't an issue after all—they went to mass on Saturday afternoons and church on Sunday morning. He bought Tracey flowers every month. And the Midwestern meat-and-potatoes man even did a little acclimating to his second home in the South, sometimes trading his cheeseburger and fries for Gulf shrimp with hushpuppies and his cherry Pepsi for a sweet tea.

Fred played golf and basketball, enjoyed working in the yard, and cherished any time he could spend with his kids and grandkids. He and Tracey made frequent trips to their home away from home—the Hard Rock Casino in Biloxi—where he held court at the craps table. They were also regulars at the Scenic 90 Café, where all the kind servers knew to bring him his favorite: waffles with strawberry ice cream.

Despite health challenges in later years, Fred’s spirit remained strong. Tracey was a devoted partner and caregiver, and they shared a quiet and loving final Christmas together.

Fred is survived by his beloved wife Tracey; son Fred (Penny) O'Connor III; daughter Kelly (Patrick) Reyes; daughter Jeanette Phy; grandchildren Hannah (Connor) Hughes, Logan (Heather) O'Connor, Peyton O'Connor, Samantha Rodriguez, MacKenzie Reyes, Jody Phy, Jessica Phy, and Jada Phy; Tracey’s daughter Stephanie Overby; and Tracey’s son Jeremy Overby.

Visitation will be held on January 7 from 3 to 5 p.m. at Oak Lawn Funeral Home in Pensacola. A funeral mass will be held on January 8 at 12 p.m. at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Pensacola. Per his wishes, Fred’s remains will return to Forest Park.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to the charity of your choice in Fred’s memory.