James Joseph O'Connor, of Edmonds, Washington passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 27, 2020 with his loving wife at his side. James was born January 10, 1924 in Chicago, Illinois, to James O'Connor Sr. and Mary McDonough O'Connor. His parents pre-deceased him as well as most of his cousins and Uncle Joseph McDonough, since he lived to the wonderful age of 96. He leaves behind dearest wife Rica, brother-in-law Craig Wieneke and sister-in-law Candice Wieneke Moore, cousins Sr. Marianne Nolan, OP, and Robert Nolan, Martha Olsen, and Susan McDonough, wife of his late cousin Tom McDonough.
Jim graduated from Carl Schurz High School in Chicago, attended Michigan State University where he was on the wrestling team before volunteering for the U.S. Army Paratroopers. He saw active duty in Germany where he remained for 10 years after the end of WW II. Jim was fluent in the German language. He returned to the U.S. in 1956 to finish studies at Northeastern Illinois University where he eventually earned a Master of Science in Mathematics. He taught Mathematics at Quigley Prep Seminary and later at Gordon Tech in Chicago. In his years at Quigley Prep and Gordon High School, students admired and loved Jim. He easily and quickly connected to his students due to his warm personality, great sense of humor and his love of math and science. His students referred to him as "Gentle Jim". Jim sustained his love of math and science throughout his long life surrounded by books in Quantum Theory and biographies of Albert Einstein as well as theoretical books written by him.
In 1970 he married the love of his life, Frederica (Rica) Wieneke, whom he had met when he was her ski instructor. After Frederica earned her PhD in Psychiatric Nursing from Northwestern University in 1986, they moved to Edmonds, WA, so that she could assume a professorship at the University of Washington. Jim and Rica spent a delightful 34 years in Edmonds, WA with their two little dogs, Tibby and Taffy. Rica and Jim bicycled many miles of country roads and hiked miles of Washington State trails. Jim had a lasting love of Ireland and everything Irish, as well as a deep love of Germany and Germany's contribution to science.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Evergreen-Washelli.com for the O'Connor family.
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