Joe grew up in Newton MA, the fifth of 11 children. He was a graduate of Boston College High School, The College of the Holy Cross and Harvard Business School. Joe was a leader in the field of commercial real estate. He directed New England Life Insurance Company's real estate equity investment program. He founded Copley Real Estate Advisors, one of the largest and most successful real estate investment firms in the country. He was Co-Chair of AEW Capital Management and Chairman of the Urban Land Institute from 2001 to 2003. Joe was widely known for his business acumen, his honesty and his tenacity. His counsel was sought by many. He served on the board of Harvard Management Company and he was Chairman of the Harvard Real Estate Initiative. He was a board member of MIT Center for Real Estate Studies, New England Aquarium, Pension Real Estate Association, Boston Children’s Medical Center, and Advisory Board to the New England Jesuit Province. Most recently, he was Board Chairman of A.D. Makepeace Company and past-Chairman and current Board Member of The Benjamin School in North Palm Beach FL. Joe received numerous awards for his business accomplishments as well as for his many philanthropic activities. Joe was a take-charge straight-forward leader in his business, board and charitable roles. He was careful and thoughtful about the impact that his leadership actions had on others. His loyalty to and compassion for those who worked with him often resulted in decisions that advanced their needs and interests over and above his own.
Joe was a complicated and extraordinary human being who took guidance from his strong commitment to family and in the setting of a Catholic religious tradition. He was extremely proud of his children and his wife Sandy. Joe made a significant difference in many people's lives, providing them with opportunities and resources that they otherwise would not have received. Joe was a gracious host, a generous and funny man and an accessible friend who will be greatly missed by many people across the country. He was no ordinary Joe.
Joe was a member of Oyster Harbors Club, Osterville MA, Lost Tree Club, North Palm Beach FL and The Beach Club, Centerville MA.
Joe is survived by Sandra (Holmes) O'Connor, his loving wife of 24 years, and four children: Jerry, a sophomore at Yale University and triplets Christopher, Katie and Joey, juniors at The Benjamin School. Joe is survived by seven brothers and sisters: Bill O'Connor of San Francisco CA, Peter O'Connor of Boston MA, Kathleen O'Connor of Newton MA, Maura Banta of Melrose MA, Michael O'Connor of Milton MA, Margaret O'Connor of Newton MA, Chuck O'Connor of Newton MA, Dorothy McCormick of Brighton MA and his step-mother Ann O'Connor of Westwood MA as well many nephews, nieces and a wonderful group of brother and sister in laws. Joe was predeceased by three brothers, Jerry O'Connor of Bronxville NY, Paul O'Connor of Westwood MA and Christopher O'Connor of Newton MA.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 2 from 4:00-7:00pm at Howard-Quattlebaum Funeral, Cremation and Event Center, 754 U.S. Highway 1, North Palm Beach, FL 33408. A Mass of the Resurrection will be held on Thursday, March 3 at 10:30am at St. Paul of the Cross, 10970 Jack Nicklaus Drive, North Palm Beach, FL 33408.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Joseph W. O'Connor Memorial Fund at The Benjamin School, 11000 Ellison Wilson Road, North Palm Beach FL 33408 or to the Jeremiah W. O’Connor Scholarship Fund at Boston College High School, 150 William T Morrissey Blvd. Boston MA 02125.
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