John James O'Connor, 55, of Salem, passed away on April 9 at Lahey Hospital in Burlington after a brief illness.

John was retired from the Middleton Fire Department and Essex County Sheriff's Department and most recently worked as Security Operations Manager at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem. John was also honorably discharged from the US Army and US Army Reserves.

John was incredibly loving and generous to his family and the many friends he considered family. John always made everyone around him laugh and would drop anything to help a friend. He was adventurous and, as a result, always had a great story to share. He loved sharing his table for the holidays and always looked forward to the summers he would spend around the campfire and grilling with friends. He also loved local history and mapping out his next metal detecting spot.

Above all, John was an incredible father and loved his daughter. He was thrilled to become a grandfather soon.

John was born in Salem to Rosemary (MacDonald) O'Connor, of Salem, and John O'Connor, of Fort Myers, Florida, on January 30, 1967. He is survived by his mother, Rosemary, and father, John; sister Carrie (O'Connor) Myles; and daughter Kelsey (O'Connor) Wylie, son-in-law Calvin Wylie, and grandson.

Though he passed so young, he lived life to the absolute fullest, and he would want the family and friends he leaves behind to remember him with a smile and share a beer.

Visiting Hours for John will be held on Monday, April 18th from 4 PM to 8 PM at the Murphy Funeral Home, located at 85 Federal Street, Salem MA. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, April 19 ^th at 11 AM at the Immaculate Conception Church, located at 15 Hawthorne Boulevard, Salem MA. A Celebration of Life for John will take place following the burial at Harmony Grove, around 1 p.m. at the Holy Ghost Society, 20 Howley St, Peabody. All are welcome. For more information or online guestbook please call 978-744-0497 or visit www.murphyfuneralhome.com.