Michael John O'Connor (13 October 1913[1] – 21 August 2022) was an Irish centenarian. At the time of his death he was believed to be Ireland's oldest man.
Michael O'Connor | |
|---|---|
| Born | Michael John O'Connor 13 October 1913 Glencar, County Kerry, Ireland |
| Died | 21 August 2022 (aged 108 years, 312 days) |
| Known for | Believed to be Ireland's oldest man at the time of his death |
| Spouse |
Joan McTernan
(m. 1949; died 2008) |
| Children | 5 |
Biography edit
O'Connor was born in Glencar, County Kerry in October 1913. His parents both worked as teachers in the area. At the age of six, O'Connor and his mother contracted Spanish flu, an illness which his mother eventually succumbed to.[2] He left Ireland as a young man, joined the Merchant Navy and worked as a radio operator during World War II.[3] In 1942, O'Connor's ship was torpedoed by a German U-boat, but he survived the sinking. He also survived the Japanese raid of the Bay of Bengal. O'Connor settled in County Clare after returning to Ireland and worked with the Irish Aviation Authority until his retirement in 1980.
Personal life and death edit
O'Connor married Joan McTernan in Limerick in 1949 and together they had five children. After his retirement the couple settled in Muckross, County Kerry. O'Connor was predeceased by his wife in April 2008.[4]
O'Connor died in Kenmare on 21 August 2022, aged 108.[5] At the time of his death he was believed the oldest man in Ireland.[6]
References edit
- ^ "Ireland's oldest man celebrates 107th birthday!". Killarney Advertsier. 16 October 2020. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
- ^ "Ireland's oldest man Michael O'Connor dies aged 108". buzz.ie. 21 August 2022. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
- ^ "Michael O'Connor, believed to be Ireland's oldest man, dies at 108". RTÉ News. 21 August 2022. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
- ^ "The death has occurred of Joan O'CONNOR (née McTernan)". rip.ie. 20 April 2008. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
- ^ "Sadness as Kerry's oldest man Michael O'Connor dies at 108". The Kerryman. 22 August 2022. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
- ^ "Man believed to be Ireland's oldest man dies aged 108". Breaking News. 22 August 2022. Retrieved 22 August 2022.