Shaun D. O’Connor, age 56, of Helena, MT, passed away after a brief, severe illness in Reno, NV, on Friday, October 13, 2017.
Shaun was born on May 12, 1961, in Helena, MT, to James (Jim) F. and Barbara L. (Frantz) O’Connor of Helena, MT. He attended grade school in East Helena and graduated from Helena High School in 1980. In high school, Shaun competed in gymnastics and was the State Champion in pommel horse in 1980. After graduating high school, Shaun attended MSU-Northern in Havre, MT, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree.
After graduating from MSU-Northern, Shaun began working in Helena for the Montana Department of Transportation in the road design division. He worked there for 15 years. During this time, Shaun also worked part-time on the night-shift and at holidays for UPS.
After the Montana Department of Transportation, Shaun began working for Cleveland Wrecking Co. His first assignment was to oversee the safety of the cleanup at the East Helena smelter, Asarco, where his father worked for many years, and where he and his brother worked some summers. Shaun oversaw the safe implosion of the iconic smelter smoke stacks which fell flawlessly, according to him.
Most recently, Shaun worked for Tepa LLC as a Safety Officer on a job at the Sierra Army Depot in Herlong, CA. He also completed jobs at Fort Irwin, CA, Yosemite National Park, and others all across the United States.
Shaun, as most Montanans, loved being outdoors, enjoying many activities such as hunting with his brother, Kelly D. O’Connor, and his buddies at their Montana hunting camp, fishing at their “fishing hut” in Sekiu, WA, snowmobiling, riding his Harley Davidson motorcycles (yes, he had two!), attending the annual Sturgis bike rally, skiing, camping, cooking, barbequing and smoking meats, watching all sports, and just hanging out with his family and friends. He loved to socialize. No matter where he was working, Shaun made certain he attended Winter Carnival in Whitefish every February. But no holiday was more important to him than St. Patrick’s Day, which he claimed was “the only real holiday of the year.”
Shaun was a good-hearted, decent man, through and through. He was never in a bad mood, always had a positive outlook in life, and always had a smile on his face that was highly contagious. He had a unique sense of humor that pushed boundaries, enjoying making others laugh both with and at him. He was a truly loyal friend and confidante, always offering to help others, especially those who needed his “handyman” talents or cooking advice.
Shaun was a loving, devoted father to his two daughters, Caitlin and Brianne O’Connor. They meant the world to him. He worked hard his whole life to raise them and set a good example for them. They were very close to him, sometimes going with him fishing, hunting, and to Sturgis and Whitefish just to spend time with him. Despite professing to be “way too young” to become a grandfather, Shaun absolutely adored Caitlin’s daughters, Ryann and Carsynn, and they in return adored their “Grandpa.” His loving and caring soul is going to be greatly missed by all of Shaun’s family and friends.
Shaun was preceded in death by his parents James (“Jim”) F. and Barbara L. (Frantz) O’Connor. He is survived by his brother Kelly (Deborah Clarke) O’Connor of Snoqualmie, WA; his two daughters Caitlin (Brook Swingley) O’Connor of Missoula, MT and Brianne (Ben Hough) O’Connor of Seattle, WA; his two granddaughters Ryann and Carsynn Swingley of Missoula, MT; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
A memorial service celebrating Shaun’s life will be at held 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 26th at SS Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church, 120 W. Riggs St. East Helena, MT 59635. A reception will immediately follow the service at the VFW Post 10010, 117 W. Main St. in East Helena. In lieu of gifts/flowers, memorials are suggested to the East Helena Volunteer Fire Department where his father was a long-time volunteer, at East Helena Fire Department, P.O. Box 1170, East Helena, MT 59635. Please see below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Shaun.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
1:30 p.m.
Thursday October 26, 2017
SS Cyril & Methodius
120 W. Riggs St.
East Helena, Montana 59635
Reception
Immediately following the service
Thursday October 26, 2017
VFW Post 10010
117 W. Main St.
East Helena, Montana 59635
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Lanae Vetsch says
Kelly, Caitlyn, Brianne and family.
Shaun’s friendship, smile and laughter will be deeply missed. May many happy memories of him help to ease your sorrow. Our thoughts are prayers are with you and your family to help give you strength during this difficult time.
allen stenhjem0 says
Kelly and family
Glenda and l are with you and yours during this most difficult time
God bless ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
John Poppe says
Kelly, And Family, My Thoughts And Prayers Are With You All At This Difficult Time, Shaun Is At Peace, And Some Day We Will All Be Together Again In God’s Kingdom, Never To Lose A Loved One Again!
KIM AVERILL says
Kelly,Caitlyn, and Brianne,
Sid and I want to send our sincere condolences to you all. We are so sadden and so devastated by the loss of our dear dear friend…We Love you Shaun and will miss you so very much. ❤ Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this very difficult time. We were so blessed to have him in our family’s life…..❤
William Hicks says
Kelly, Caitlyn and Brianne. I am so sorry for your loss . My self and my family send our deepest condolences to you at this difficult time. I as well as many are deeply saddened by his passing and grieve with you as well. Your brother and dad was a good man and I cherished our friendship deeply. I never me you three but feel I know you as he talked about you all so much and loved you all dearly as well. Prayers to you all and may god be with you. Rest In Peace Shaun, miss you and will never forget you.
Chris Hannon says
To Shaun’s family & friends,
I’ve just learned of Shaun’s passing. My deepest condolences to you Kelly, Caitlyn, Brianne and all of Shaun’s friends. Just as William stated above, although I never met you, I know you through conversations with Shaun. He kept you all very close. He was a dear friend and I will miss him. Gods comfort be with you.
Steve and Mary Faye says
Kelly, Caitlyn, Brianne and family and friends,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Shaun’s hearty laugh, his smile, and his love of family and friends will long be remembered.
Charlie Schulz says
Hey Kelly sorry about the loss of your bro, he was one of the best. Thinking of you and your family.
Charles Eatinger says
Kelly and family,
I am deeply saddened to hear about Shaun’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time of sorrow. May the peace of the Lord blanket you with his kindness and love during this time. Shaun will forever be remembered.
Jacque Trinka says
I grew up with Shaun and Kelly. They, coupled with my cousin Rod, and I, we’re truly family. I knew Shaun’s wife, Trisha, from high school. I never had the pleasure of meeting his daughters…we were all so spread out by then, but he spoke of/showed pictures so often of you ?. Please except my deep condolences. I can’t, well actually don’t want to, experience the kind of pain you must be in. Selfish. I apologize. I’m not sure I can manage any more grief than I currently feel for myself. And my concern, love and heartbreak for Kelly is almost overwhelming at this point. There is not a single thing I could say or do to possibly help, so I will say, SO many people are there to laugh and love and celebrate just the joy of KNOWING your father. What a blessing we ALL had….safe travels, my sweet friend. I look forward to seeing you again ?
Bill Dolan says
Kelly, I am so sorry to hear of Shaun’s passing. It was great seeing you and Shaun at the Missoula Club last month. I truly enjoyed spending time with you guys and telling stories about our East Helena upbringing. My brothers and I send our condolences, Bill
Scott says
Please accept my sincere condolences for the loss of your dear loved one, Shaun. No words could ever convey the pain of your heart but our loving Creator and Heavenly Father does know. He has promised that very soon this enemy, death, and all the things that bring our hearts pain will be a distant memory-Hosea 13:14. Until then please find comfort in knowing that He is close to the broken hearted and those crushed in spirit he saves-Psalm 34:18. It is my hope that these passages, along with your loving memories of Shaun, comfort your hearts and give you a measure of peace during this most difficult time.
Stacie Anderson says
Shaun was one of a kind. I never remember him without a smile on his face. It’s been many years since I was last around him, I’m positive he never lost his fun-loving spirit. I have special memories of your grandma ad mom Barb and how proud she was of her boys. Kelley I am so sorry for the loss of your brother. So sudden and so sad. May you find peace during this painful time.
Doug Stipcich says
Kelly,
I am saddened in hearing of Shaun’s passing. As others have said, way to young and way too soon. Though it has been several years since I have seen either of you, I do remember the smile that was constantly pasted to Shaun’s face. Many good times growing up in East Helena. May you find some kind of peace from that at this difficult time.
Becky says
I met Shawn while attending Northern Montana College and remember him as a friendly, fun-loving individual. Was so saddened to learn of his passing, but carry many wonderful memories of him with me.
Cheryl says
Kelly and Girls,
I am so sorry to hear about Shaun. Although we didn’t see each other much, every time we did he and Kelly are and were always kind hearted and I felt it was a good visit and glad I got to see both. Always smiling and making me laugh. Life is hard and short. Thinking of you, cousin Cheryl and family.
Kathy Connors says
I know you don’t know me, but I met Shaun who sat next to me on the airplane flying back to Helena from SLC a few months ago. I just saw this obituary today and was so shocked. We connected because my last name is Connors and it turned out his dad and my sister were in the same class and knew each other at Helena High. He was the friendliest person and I thought we could use more like him. He spoke with such love and affection regarding his family, especially his daughters. Just wanted you to know he made a big impact on me. I’m so sorry for your loss.
Robert Rossberg says
So sorry to hear of Shaun’s passing. Lots of good memories in H.S. Kelly, so sorry about this. Last time I saw him we played poker together at Kirk Taylor’s. Still the same old guy. God Bless and RIP Shaun
Rudy Johndon says
Kelly, still a lost for words. It has been a few years since we crossed paths (life, as it goes). Many fond memories during the young years. Girls, your dad was great as you know ( your Uncle, maybe another story). My thoughts go back to Havre. A weekend drive to the homeland. Shaun had a Yamaha at the time ( I know, hard to understand). Shaun wanted to take the six hour trip home. Game on, let’s go, was my thoughts. His reply, I only stop for gas. True, put gas in the bike once ( to this day, I question his bathroom habits) A enjoyable cruise as it turned out. Thoughts , prayers, a outstanding person.
Tim Krott says
Kelly, Caitlyn, and Brianne I’m so sorry to hear about Shaun. He was such a great person, if you knew him for years or just met him he left a lasting impression . Always first to say hello to you and with a smile. Always living life to the fullest, fun seemed to find him. I have lots of fun memories of him at NMC . By some strange chance of events we became roommates our freshman year and I can still remember what he said the day we met. He said ” I’ll give this one week and if I don’t like it I’m out of here.” Well girls that friendship lasted more than a week and a lot of good times followed . Shaun will truly be missed by many he was one of kind , my thoughts and prayers are with you all.