Monsignor Daniel O'Connor accepted whatever he was called upon to do in the Catholic Church.
His gift was the ability to lead without micromanaging. He could see talent in others, get out the way and allow them to do God's work.
Sister Valentina Sheridan had known Monsignor O'Connor more than 40 years, nearly as long as he'd been assigned to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta. She worked with him at metro Atlanta parishes and when he oversaw education.
"He called on people for so much and shared so much responsibility with others," she said. "He allowed them to function and people felt like he trusted them. He put his whole self into whatever he was called to do. He really loved his work."
For 49 years, Monsignor O'Connor held various roles for the Atlanta Archdiocese. He served as pastor at Atlanta's Sacred Heart, St. Jude the Apostle and St. Anthony, St. Philip Benizi Church in Jonesboro and St. Thomas Aquinas in Alpharetta.
The title of monsignor is a title of honor that's bestowed on a priest because of a position of prominence in the diocese or because of faithful, esteemed service in one. In 1994, the title of "Prelate of Honor of His Holiness" was conferred on Monsignor O'Connor by Archibishop John Francis Donoghue by order of Pope John Paul II.
"He was most definitely deserving of that title," said Monsignor James Fennessy, who succeeded Monsignor O'Connor at St. Jude. "He built a beautiful church at St. Thomas Aquinas in the early 1980s, and did wonderful renovations here at St. Jude. These are just some of his accomplishments in later years. He was a good pastor who had a clear voice in his instructions and presentations."
On Wednesday, Monsignor Daniel James O'Connor of Atlanta was at a doctor's appointment when he died from complications of cancer. He was 78. A funeral mass will be 1 p.m. Thursday at Cathedral of Christ the King. H.M. Patterson, Spring Hill Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.
Monsignor O'Connor was educated at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. and St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore. He was ordained in 1961 by Archbishop Henry O'Brien in Hartford, Conn. His first assignment in Atlanta was at St. Anthony where he served four years. Next was St. Philip Benizi (two years), St. Thomas Aquinas (10 years), Sacred Heart (seven years) and St. Jude (11 years).
Additionally, the retired Army Colonel accepted numerous other responsibilities and assignments, among them: religion instructor and principal at St. Joseph's High; chaplain in the U.S. Army Reserve and for the Atlanta Army Depot; member of the Archdiocesan Board of Consultors; and a sabbatical at the Pontifical North American College in Vatican City.
In 2002, Monsignor O'Connor retired, but worked part-time as a chaplain at St. Joseph's Hospital.
"He was a faithful servant of the church," Sister Sheridan said.
Survivors include two sisters, Marie Muska of East Windsor, Conn.; and Anne Elizabeth Gilland of Rocky Hill, Conn.
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