Judge John O'Connor

Judge John P. O’Connor, 85 years old, died suddenly on July 18, 2025. He was born in Wilmette, Illinois on September 30, 1939, to James C. and Alice D. O’Connor, and moved to Cincinnati, Ohio at the age of 7. He is survived by his devoted wife of 40 years Dr. Kathleen O’Connor; children John O’Connor (Vivian Graf), Kathleen (Edward) Buschbacher, and James (Lynne) O’Connor, grandchildren Mary (Kyle) Denney, Cara (Kevin) Fultz, Kelly and T.J. O’Connor, Andrew (fiancée Kate Harris) Buschbacher, Julia Buschbacher, Luke and Clare O’Connor, Christian Italiano, great grandchildren Nora and Harper Denney, Owen and Macy Fultz, and Levi O’Connor, brother Thomas (Christine) O’Connor, sister Lee (late Richard) d’Anjou, sister Dr. Marion (Bernard Sharratt) O’Connor, numerous beloved nieces and nephews, and brother-in-law Byron Ballinger. He was preceded in death by his parents James and Alice O’Connor.

Judge O’ Connor was a proud graduate of St. Xavier High School, Xavier University, and the Salmon P. Chase College of Law. He had a long and distinguished career with Hamilton County. He began as a unit leader in the Hamilton County Juvenile Court Detention Center. After graduating from Xavier University and while attending law school, he worked as a probation officer for Hamilton County Juvenile Court. Upon being admitted to the bar he served as a Magistrate in Hamilton County Juvenile Court while also working in the private practice of Grossman, Shue, and O’Connor. In 1973 he was appointed to Hamilton County Municipal Court where he subsequently won reelection and served in Municipal Court until 1978. He continued his judicial service in Hamilton County Juvenile Court from 1979 to 1992. Judge O’Connor was then elected to the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas where he served from 1993 to 2001. After retiring from his elected position in 2001, he worked as a visiting judge until 2007. During retirement he greatly enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, boating, and mountain biking. He was a devoted biking buddy to Don Schott, Joe Staft, Jim Kuhn, Tom Oberschmidt, and Terry Gaines. He rode over 24,700 miles on his bike!

John was a devout Catholic and longtime parishioner of St. Antoninus Church. Family will receive friends at St. Antoninus, 1500 Linneman Rd, Cincinnati, OH on Monday, July 28 from 9 AM until the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Free Store Foodbank, SmileTrain, or the American Heart Association.