Bartholomew John O'Connor

Bartholomew John O’Connor of Pinehurst, NC passed away in his home on October 3, 2024. He was 89 years old. Bart was born January 23, 1935, in Bronx, NY, to the late John and Helen O’Connor, and raised in Yonkers, NY. He was an active member of St. Barnabus, his local church, where he served as an altar boy for 10 years. During his high school days, Bart participated in numerous athletic teams, as well as in several civic groups, graduating from Roosevelt High School in 1953. Bart attended Colgate University in Hamilton, NY, and graduated in 1957. While at Colgate University, Bart was a member of the cheerleading team and was named Head Cheerleader during his senior year. He was also president of his Theta Chi fraternity and a member of the Inter-Faternity Council. Bart was named as one of 21 recipients to “Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities.” While at Colgate, Bart met Martha Palmer of Hamilton, NY, and were married in September 1957. The couple celebrated 61 years of marriage before Martha passed away in 2018.

Upon his college graduation, Bart began his corporate career as a salesman with Colgate Palmolive, Kendall Division, in Fort Wayne, IN. His career took him from Indiana to Chicago, IL to Cleveland, OH to New York City, finishing his impressive 35-year career as National Sales Manager for five different divisions within the corporation. During his employment in New York City, Bart and Martha lived in New Canaan, CT for 23 years with their 5 children. When Bart retired, he used his love of gardening and his business savvy to start a landscaping business, serving local homes and businesses in Fairfield County, CT. He brought this business down to Pinehurst, NC in 1996 when he and Martha moved from New Canaan. Partnering first with his daughter Colleen in 1999 and then with his son Bart (Alan) in 2006, the company flourished as Bart and his children designed and executed countless landscapes for their customers in and around the Pinehurst area.

Bart was always active in his children’s lives and the communities in which he lived. He was dedicated and selfless with his time and resources. Before retiring to Pinehurst, Bart was President for the Chicago based Young Republicans from 1960-1962; Co-President with Martha of the Parents Council’s finance board at St. Mary’s high school in Greenwich, CT from 1977-1988 where his children Chris, Bart and Colleen attended high school; and Board of Trustees member and Co-Chair with Martha of the Parent’s Council at Marywood University in Scranton, PA from 1984-1995, his daughter Colleen’s alma mater. During his 28 years in Pinehurst, Bart volunteered for a variety of organizations. He was a member of the Pinehurst Country Club’s Board of Governors, including President; inaugural member of Pinehurst’s Conservation Commission; inaugural member, including co-chair with Martha, for the Pinehurst’s Beautification Committee; board member for the Donald Ross Neighborhood Association; Program Committee member for the English Speaking Union and Board Member, Development Committee Member and Chair of the “Garden Tour” with the Weymouth Center. Bart was also an active member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Pinehurst, including Parish Council member, Facilities Committee member, Beautification Chair, and designed and planted all flowers on the church grounds.

Bart is survived by his 2 sisters Patricia O’Connor and Susan O’Connor-McCaskie; his children Chris (Colleen), Colleen (Peg), Debby (Paul), and Steve (Coreen); his daughter-in-law Rennie; his grandchildren Brendan, Caitlin (Nathan), Rory, Erin (Stephen), Fiona (Steve), Colin (Michelle), Kyle, Kelly (Brendan), Harrison, Kimmie, Robbie, Billy, Madison and Kyle; and great-grandchildren Andrew, Elizabeth, Beckett and Mabel. He is pre-deceased by his wife Martha and son Bart.

Bart often told his loved ones that he lived a good life, and all those who knew and loved him would wholeheartedly agree. He was a great man, a loving husband and father, and a strongly devoted and loyal friend to many. He will be greatly missed and forever loved.

His family invites you to celebrate his life at a memorial mass at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Pinehurst, NC on November 7 at 11am, followed by a reception in the church’s Parish Hall and then a graveside service at Pinelawn Memorial Park in Pinehurst, NC.