Stephen M. O’Connor obituary

#MIDDLEBURY

State of Connecticut parole officer

Stephen McCarthy O’Connor, 46, of Middlebury died Sunday, July 31, 2016, at St. Mary’s Hospital. He was the husband of Katie (Lerz) O’Connor.

Steve was born in Waterbury Oct. 3, 1969, a son of the late Michael J. O’Connor and Brenda (McCarthy) O’Connor Halloran and was a graduate of Sacred Heart High School and Highpoint College in North Carolina. Steve was a dedicated father and husband and a longtime resident of Middlebury. He had been an outstanding football player in high school and college and was a fan of the New York Giants.

Steve started his career with the Board of Parole in 1999 as a parole officer. He was selected to the prestigious Fugitive Investigations Unit (FIU) in 2000. While in FIU, he received several commendations from Gov. John G. Rowland while under the Board of Parole. Steve remained on the team until 2007, when he transferred to the Waterbury Parole Office, where he worked closely with the Waterbury Police Department, fostering excellent and long-lasting relationships between the law enforcement agencies. Steve received several distinguished service awards for his involvement in the investigation, location and apprehension of fugitives in the community, keeping the streets of Connecticut a safer place.

Besides his wife, he is survived by his two daughters, Jillian and Raeghan of Middlebury; his sister, Coleen O’Connor and her daughters, Michaela and Elizabeth, of Litchfield; a brother, Michael Liam O’Connor and his wife, Julie, and their daughters, Madeline and Olivia, of Woodbury; his mother and father-in-law, Patrick and Carley Lerz of Wolcott; his brother-in-law, Patrick Lerz and his wife, Erin, of Wolcott; sister-in-law, Sarah Lerz of Portland, Ore.; and sister-in-law, Mari Lerz and her husband, Jose Sandoval, and their sons, Joseph and Jacob of Danbury. There also are many family and friends including fellow officers of the Board of Parole and the Waterbury Police Department.

His funeral Mass will be Friday, Aug. 5, 2016, at 10 a.m. at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception at 74 W. Main St. in Waterbury. Friends are asked to meet directly at the church. Burial will be at the convenience of the family in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Calling hours are Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Murphy Funeral Home at 115 Willow St. in Waterbury.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Jillian and Raeghan O’Connor Education Fund, c/o Michael L. O’Connor, Webster Bank, 123 Bank St., Waterbury, CT 06702.

Visit www.murphyfuneralhomect.com for more information or to send an online condolence.