Vince was a faithful servant of Jesus and lifelong Catholic. He was instrumental in the planning and building of St. John Neumann’s Catholic Church. He was a veteran of the North Carolina Army National Guard. He began his career in photo finishing at Alderman’s Studios in High Point, NC, working in dye transfer. From there, he moved to Charlotte with his family and worked for Delmar / Herff Jones for 43 years and served as production vice president. He was a great leader and mentor to many and is remembered as being fair and kind.
As Vince would often say, he spent his retirement golfing and fishing and when he got tired of that he would fish and then golf. He was an avid fisherman and former member and officer of the Charlotte Salt Water Sports fishing club where he served as president and part time web page administrator. He loved fishing and teaching people how to fish. He also enjoyed telling a few fishing tales. Much of his family remembers that spectacular catch one night at Yaupon Beach where he fought briefly with a massive fish that turned out to be a very wet king size bedspread. Those things really pull hard against the outgoing tide.
Vince was an avid golfer, accomplished amateur, and member for years at Pine Lake County Club. He often played with a group of men called the Omega’s. When Vince stopped playing, his golf buddies would often write messages on golf balls and hit them into the front yard for him to find while mowing. In addition, he excelled at small engine repair and kept the neighborhood power equipment in fine working order, even after those devices had be relegated to the trash heap.
Most of all Vince loved his family. Jean O’Connor, his wife of 63 years. He had four brothers, Bill (deceased), Mike, Steve, and Randy O’Connor, as well as two sisters, Pat Condra and Carol Rich. He was a wonderful father, father-in-law and grandfather to Cindy, Andy Smith and their daughter, Ariel, Max (deceased) and his daughters, Meagan Glatz and Amanda O’Connor, Mike, Gail and their son, Sterling O’Connor and Teresa, Kraig Allen, and their daughter, Lindsay Hinesley. In addition, he has many nieces and nephews, too numerous to list.
Vince will be remembered for his love, kindness and compassion for family, friends, and coworkers.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Novant Health Hospice. P.O. Box 33549, Charlotte NC, 28233.
