Chief Thomas J. O’Connor Sr.
It is with deep sympathy that we announce the passing of Chief (ret.) Thomas J. O’Connor Sr. Tom served proudly as Chief of the Cumberland Rhode Island Police Department from 1966 to 1980. He was a life member of the New England Association of Chiefs of Police and served brilliantly for many years as the Treasurer of the Association.
A celebration of his life will be held:
Wednesday at 9 AM from the J. J. Duffy Funeral Home, 757 Mendon Road, Rt. 122, Cumberland. Mass of Christian Burial at 10 AM in the St. Patrick Church, Broad Street, Cumberland. Burial with military honors will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Relatives and friends are kindly invited.
Visiting Hours will be held Tuesday from 4 to 8 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Cumberland – Lincoln Boys and Girls Club, 1 James McKee Way, PO Box 7505, Cumberland, RI 02864.
He was the husband of the late Margaret M. (McCourt) O’Connor. Born in Lincoln, he was the son of the late Michael and Veronica (Gilleece) O’Connor. He resided in Cumberland for the past 70 years. He was a United States Navy Veteran, serving during World War II. Mr. O’Connor was employed by the Cumberland Police Department, attaining the rank of Chief of Police in 1966 and retiring in 1980. He was later the Director of Security at TF Green Airport for seven years. He was a communicant of St. Patrick Church, a member of the Fraternal Order of Police, Rhode Island, New England and National Police Chief’s Associations and the Knights of Columbus, St. Thomas Council. He was an avid golfer, and at age 81 got his first hole-in-one. The family would like to express their deepest appreciation to the staff of Emerald Bay / Brookdale Nursing Home, especially Louisa Henriques. He leaves his children, Thomas J. O’ Connor Jr., Paul O’Connor and his wife Diane and Marilyn Ackaway, all of Cumberland; twelve grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was the father of the late Michael F. O’Connor, Maureen O’Connor, Shawn O’Connor, and Margaret O’Connor and brother of the late Rita Costigan and Veronica Fontaine.
