Saturday, March 22, 2025
Today, we gather to celebrate the life of Thomas “Bud” O'Connor — Our Uncle Bud. It’s a challenge to capture in words the essence of someone who was truly one of a kind.
In part he was a Renaissance man — uniquely talented, he had a passion for art, engineering, architecture, and music - yet he had a natural, down-to-earth charm that made him approachable and loved by all who met him. Whether discussing art and design with professionals or sharing a laugh with one of his many friends, Uncle Bud was always in his element. And, like a typical savant, you might find him enjoying the occasional nap on a local park bench or grassy field.
I guess you could also call him a bit of a troublemaker — but in the best kind of way. He had a gift for impressions, mimicking everyone from movie stars to family members and, as our mom has many times told us, his high school principal – doing phony announcement over the PA system.
He was also an athlete, loved football and “playing with the big boys.” as he would say. Few things made him happier than throwing the perfect spiral — even when it knocked down a hydro line playing with his brother in-law (our dad) or broke multiple panes of glass playing with his brother, our Uncle Jack.
But there was more to Uncle Bud than just fun and games. Few know this but at 11 years old, he saved his brother from drowning in the Don River — an act of love and quiet heroism that speaks to his character - qualities we saw him exemplify throughout his life.
I've never known anyone who more fully embodied Christian values — kindness, humility, selflessness, charity, diligence, and compassion. Uncle But Bud didn't live these values as something he tried to do; they were simply part of who he was. His care for his ailing mother (our Ganny), his never, ever, missing a family function, always being there to lend a hand to friends’ family and strangers alike, his limitless generosity and gentle way of always showing up for all of us.
For all his gifts and talents, it’s the simple things we’ll miss most:
His hand drumming on an empty pot
The way he always knew the perfect song lyric for any occasion.
Playing records too loudly
Being ever-ready with a joke
A football in hand, ready to play with anyone
His Mickey Mouse and Goofy impressions for his great nieces and nephews
His love for dogs, sneaking them food under the table despite our Ganny scolding him
A cup of coffee, even if it was brewed a week ago, always enjoyed
I hope the good Lord keeps his fridge well stocked with Coca-Cola – Uncle Bud’s favorite. I can picture him up there drinking one with Ganny (the OG that is), Uncle Jack, and Aunt Kay. He’s talking art with Michelangelo, designing with Frank Lloyd Wright, drumming with Buddy Rich and Gene Krupa, and making Rodney Dangerfield laugh.
And we’ll think of him every time we see his artwork proudly displayed in all our homes, enjoy a mud-black coffee, see a perfectly thrown touch-down pass or hear a great drum solo.
His was a life lived simply and honestly, with joy, laughter and curiosity, but always with a spirit that drew people in and left them better for knowing him. We will miss him at every family function, all our important life events, and those of our children. He will always be remembered as a sweet, kind, loving soul, our gentle giant – Uncle Bud.
