John Denis Alphonsus O'Connor (abt. 1875 - 1941)

Born about 1875 in Burrowa, New South Wales. [uncertain]

Died 23 Aug 1941 at about age 66 in Lewisham, New South Wales, Australia

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Biography

Jack O'Connor is Notable.

John O'Connor was born in September 1875 or possibly the previous year if the Birth Registration listed is correct. He was either born at or about Burrowa or possibly even Boorowa in the Colony of New South Wales. His father is believed to have been James O'Connor and his mother was either named Mary or Anne, or maybe Mary Anne.

John Denis Alphonsus O'Connor was an Australian cricketer who played in four Test Matches from January 1908 to May 1909. He made his debut against the touring English at Adelaide from January 10 - 16, 1908. And his last in England against the English at Birmingham from May 27 - 29, 1909. He played first class cricket for both New South Wales and South Australia.

John Denis Alphonsus O'Connor passed away in August 1941 at or about Lewisham, New South Wales, Australia just before his 66th birthday. He is buried at the South Head Cemetery, at Vaucluse, in New South Wales, Australia.

From The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper of Monday 25 August 1941 we see his death notice below:

O'CONNOR. — August 23, 1941, John A. O'Connor, formerly of Vaucluse, dearly loved father of Patricia. R.I.P. By request, no flowers.

And from the Catholic Freeman's Journal newspaper of Thursday 28 August 1941 we see an Obituary below:

The Late Mr. John O'Connor, of Vaucluse.

A name revered in the Catholic, commercial and sporting world, was that of Mr. John O'Connor, of Vaucluse, who died after a long illness at Lewisham Hospital on Saturday, fortified by the rites of Holy Church. The deceased gentleman was a fine personality. He had the rare charm of making and holding friends because of his sincerity of purpose and his unswerving loyalty to those principles which characterise the ideal Catholic citizen and parent. The deceased gentleman was a brother of Rev. Mother Boniface, Mother Rectress and former Provincial of Lewisham Hospital, and was, in his day, one of the finest sportsmen, particularly in the cricket, field, that Australia has chronicled. He was a splendid bowler and field, and toured England on three occasions.

During those trips Mr. O'Connor won the affection and regard of his fellow cricket tourists, who appreciated his strength of character and his ever-ready courtesy and consideration for others. He was a particular friend during the tour with Mr. Carter, the famous wicket-keeper, and these were named the Siamese twins. Mr. O'Connor took part in 17 Sheffield Shield matches, and collected 80 wickets for an average of a little over 29 runs, while in batting he recorded for 29 innings a total of 222 runs. Against England in the Tests he secured 13 wickets for 26 runs each.

The deceased gentleman, who would have been 66 years of age in September, leaves a daughter, Patricia, and two brothers, and, as mentioned, Rev. Mother Boniface.

Obsequies at Lewisham."

On Monday, in the chapel at Lewisham, Requiem Mass was celebrated for the repose of the soul of the deceased. It was attended by a large and representative congregation, including the Sisters of the Little Company of Mary, the medical and other staffs of the hospital, and many personal friends. Right Rev. Monsignor E. O'Donnell, P.P., was celebrant of the Mass, and prior to leaving the Church prayers were recited by Rev. Father Leonard, after which the funeral left for the South Head Cemetery, where a large crowd assembled to pay their respects to a revered and constant friend.-— R.I.P.

Sources

• Possible Birth - New South Wales Births, Deaths & Marriages: BIRTH: O'CONNOR, JOHN DENNIS - registration no. 716/1874 - father: JAMES - mother: ANNE - district: BOOROWA. first accessed online on the 23rd of February, 2022 from the NSW Births, Deaths and Marriages search at: https://familyhistory.bdm.nsw.gov.au/lifelink/familyhistory/search/births?2

• Possible Marriage - New South Wales Births, Deaths & Marriages: MARRIAGE: registration no. 6438/1902 - groom: O'CONNOR, JOHN - bride: HEREWARD, MARY - district: BOOROWA. first accessed online on the 23rd of February, 2022 from the NSW Births, Deaths and Marriages search at: https://familyhistory.bdm.nsw.gov.au/lifelink/familyhistory/search/marriages?

• New South Wales Births, Deaths & Marriages: DEATH: O'CONNOR, JOHN ALPHONSUS D. - registration no. 16736/1941 - father: JAMES - mother: MARY - district: PETERSHAM. first accessed online on the 23rd of February, 2022 from the NSW Births, Deaths and Marriages search at: https://familyhistory.bdm.nsw.gov.au/lifelink/familyhistory/search/deaths?

• Family Notices from The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954) of Monday 25 August 1941, Page 10. first accessed on TROVE on the 23rd of February, 2022 at: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/17761526?searchTerm=%22John%20O%27connor%22%20Cricket%20Jack%20Denis%20Alphonsus%20OConnor

• The Late Mr. John O'Connor, of Vaucluse. from the Catholic Freeman's Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1932 - 1942) of Thursday 28 August 1941, Page 18. first accessed on TROVE on the 23rd of February, 2022 at: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/146370948?

• Find a Grave, database and images accessed 23 February 2022, memorial page for John D A O'Connor (1874–25 Aug 1941), Find a Grave Memorial ID Find A Grave: Memorial #218831783, citing South Head Cemetery, Vaucluse, Waverley Council, New South Wales, Australia ; Maintained by woowoo (contributor 49949980) . (note no gravestone photograph attached)

and

• Find a Grave, database and images accessed 23 February 2022, memorial page for John Denis “Jack” O'Connor (9 Sep 1875–23 Aug 1941), Find a Grave Memorial ID Find A Grave: Memorial #139391649, citing South Head Cemetery, Vaucluse, Waverley Council, New South Wales, Australia ; Maintained by Tim Reynolds (contributor 48314828) .

• Jack O'Connor (Australian cricketer) from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. first accessed online on the 23rd of February, 2022 at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_O%27Connor_(Australian_cricketer)

• Jack O'Connor Australia from the ESPNCRICINFO website. first accessed online on the 23rd of February, 2022 at: https://www.espncricinfo.com/player/jack-o-connor-6992

• J. A. O'Connor, South Australia first published as part of The Latest Photos of the Australian Cricket Team. in the Critic (Adelaide, SA : 1897-1924) of Wednesday 3 March 1909, Page 3. first accessed online on the 18th of February, 2022 at: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/211425688

• Sports from The Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 - 1954) of Sunday 24 August 1941, Page 14. first accessed on TROVE on the 23rd of February, 2022 at: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/231634027?searchTerm=%22Jack%20O%27connor%22%20Cricket%20John%20Denis%20Alphonsus%20OConnor

• MR. J. O'CONNOR from the Goulburn Evening Post (NSW : 1940 - 1954) of Tuesday 26 August 1941, Page 2. first accessed on TROVE on the 23rd of February, 2022 at: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/103634916?

• TEST BOWLER’S DEATH from the Sporting Globe (Melbourne, Vic. : 1922 - 1954) of Wednesday 27 August 1941, Page 11. first accessed on TROVE on the 23rd of February, 2022 at: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/181711607?