Robert John 'O'C' O'Connor

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O'Connor, Robert John "O'C" age 80, passed away peacefully at home on November 12, 2015. Bob is survived by his wife Alice (Brickson) O'Connor; sons, Mike (Tracy) and Paul (Niki); grandchildren, Keegan, Jack, Shannon, Riley, and Cobin; brother, Lawrence (Helen); brother-in-law, Jack Brickson, and many cousins, nieces, nephews, family, and dear friends. Bob surrounded himself with friends, family, and lots, and lots of hockey. He was an inspirational, compassionate, and thoughtful mentor and supporter of so many. O'C, as he was known in the hockey world, was passionate about passing on his knowledge to young players, allowing them to compete not only in sport, but more importantly in life. Although hockey led him all over the globe, he always returned to his one true love, Alice. He will always be remembered for his generous heart, his deep passion for the game, his sense of humor, and "that accent". Playing Days Bob was a lifelong student, teacher and fan of the game of hockey. He attended LaSalle Academy in Providence, Rhode Island playing on the state championship team in 1954. He was All State in '53 and '54 and voted top player in Rhode Island in '54. He also was on the New England Tournament of Champions in '54. Bob then attended Hebron Academy, Hebron, Maine post grad. 1954-55 and played on the Lake Placid Northwood All-Tournament team in 1955. After serving two years with the US Marine Corp, he attended Providence College where he played in the '61 and '62 ECAC NCAA Tournament with line-mate Lou Lamoriello. In 2010, he was elected to the Hebron Academy Athletic Hall of Fame. Edina, MN O'Connor moved to Minnesota, which was the home state of his wife, Alice. The Edina hockey world is proud to remember Bob O'Connor for his significant contributions to youth hockey. From 1969-1978, "OC" coached youth hockey in Edina at most levels winning State Championships at the Midget, Peewee and Squirt levels. He also was the JV Coach at Edina High School for 25 years amassing a record of 423-48-22 and was the Assistant Varsity Coach for Edina High with Bart Larson and then Willard Ikola. For 10 years, he ran the Edina preseason Hockey School. During the mid--?1980s, he was Director of the Summer Development Hockey Camp for the Minnesota Institute of Hockey and coached the Minnesota High School All-Star Girls in the Chicago Cup. Bob has had a youth hockey tournament named after him at Braemar Arena for over 20 years. USA Hockey After his coaching career in Edina, Bob moved on to work with USA Hockey and was the Assistant Coach for the 1984 and 1988 USA Olympic Hockey teams. Bob has been a member of the USA Hockey Committee for the past 35 years and is Director Emeritus for the Board of Directors USA Hockey. O'C received the Builders Award, one of USA Hockey's most prestigious honors. Additionally, he received two other major awards from USA Hockey - the William Thayer Tutt Award in 1990 for "selfless dedication to hockey at the grassroots level" and the Walter Yaciuk Award in 1997 for commitment to coaching education. Bob also donated the funds to establish the Bob O'Connor USA Hockey International Resource Center, home to the most extensive collection in the world of ice hockey coaching resources. Other designations include: Associate Coach, National Women USA Hockey Team, USA Hockey National Coach-in-Chief; Minnesota Head Coach-in-Chief, Assistant Coach, USA Paralympic Hockey Team 2006, Torino Italy Assistant Coach, USA Junior National Team 2007-08, Bronze Medal Winner NHL Bob was a professional scout for the Toronto Maple Leafs and worked with the Buffalo Sabers during their preseason training camp. He was also awarded the Life Time Achievement Award by the Minnesota Wild in 2014. "I was just a grassroots hockey coach that developed young players early in their careers. Teach them to skate. Teach them to pass. Teach them to support each other. "I would say this is one of my top awards. Anytime you're recognized for a job you do in coaching and teaching kids how to love the game, it's great. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, November 18th, 11:00 at St. Patrick's Church of Edina, 6820 St. Patrick's Lane, Edina, MN. Visitation, one hour before mass, reception to follow. Memorials preferred to The USA Hockey Foundation benefiting Bob's passion 'grass roots" youth hockey development at usahockeyfoundation.org/donate

Published on November 15, 2015