Last week, Parkites noticed the letters on PC Hill were altered to spell B. O. C. ahead of late Park City High Principal Bob O’Connor’s memorial. Sunday afternoon, hundreds gathered to remember O’Connor on his school’s campus.
O’Connor passed away of complications from ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, on January 14. He was 59.
At the memorial Sunday afternoon, about 200 family, friends, former students and community members honored him in the Park City Eccles Center.
His daughter Caitlin O’Connor Hanks spoke first. After her, longtime friend Mike Sellers, former student Albany Miller and former colleagues Sharon Ellsworth-Nielson and Julie Hooker followed. His son Brian O’Connor offered a final speech after a photo slideshow.
They talked about his way of leading by example to inspire others, whether those were his students or his closest friends and family. They told stories of hunting, skiing and camping to describe his “work hard, play hard” attitude.
Four musicians performed a rendition of “Amazing Grace,” one of O’Connor’s favorites, blended with Rachel Platten’s “Fight Song.” Pianist Nicole Stankovich told the audience the latter was a song of encouragement to him.
As his student, Stankovich said O’Connor was a great supporter who even crossed state lines to see her perform after high school.
The memorial concluded with a toast.
O’Connor moved to the Park City High School principal position in June of 2012.
Before this assignment, he had been principal of Treasure Mountain Junior High School. In total, he spent 25 years in the school district as a teacher and administrator.
O’Connor’s obituary can be found at this link.
