On the Dash:
- Jim O’Connor, former Ford Division and Lincoln-Mercury president, has died at 83
- He led Ford Division, Lincoln-Mercury and Ford of Canada over 40 years at Ford
- O’Connor retired in 2004 after overseeing Ford’s luxury and racing brands
Jim O’Connor, who spent more than four decades at Ford Motor Company and rose to lead Ford Division, Lincoln-Mercury and Ford of Canada, died Sept. 25 in Morristown, New Jersey, at 83.
O’Connor started at Ford as a management trainee and worked his way up to president of Ford of Canada, president of Lincoln-Mercury and president of Ford Division. He retired in 2004 as group vice president of North American marketing, sales and service.
O’Connor was born Feb. 28, 1943, in Brooklyn and grew up in South Orange, New Jersey. He graduated from Seton Hall Prep in 1960 and Villanova University in 1964.
O’Connor was proud of his Irish heritage. He served as grand marshal of the 2003 New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade, one of several honors he received over his lifetime.
His other honors included Villanova’s Loyalty Award and Alumni Medal, induction into the Seton Hall Prep Athletic Hall of Fame and the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.
O’Connor’s Catholic faith guided his generosity and service to others. He supported the Augustinian community and the Margaret Donnelly O’Connor Education Center.
He is survived by his daughters, Meredith Tomatore (Keith) and Erin Kavanagh (Timothy), and their mother, Judith (Palmer) O’Connor. He is also survived by his grandchildren, James, Grace, Maeve and Owen Kavanagh; his partner, Dianne McDonough; his brother, Peter O’Connor (Patti Flanagan); and his half-brother, Richard Lundy.
Visitation will be held Oct. 2 from 4 to 8 p.m. at O’Brien Funeral Home in Wall Township, New Jersey. A funeral Mass will follow.
