WEST GARDINER – Samuel Michael O’Connor, known to many as “Sam”, passed away in the home he built with his devoted wife, Patricia, of 55 years, by his side May 4, 2024, in West Gardiner, at the age of 73.

He was born Sept. 18, 1950, in Augusta, to Alicia Dwyer and Dennis O’Connor, in Augusta. He grew up in the Hallowell school district, graduating from Hall-Dale High School in 1968, then attended the University of Southern Maine, studying industrial arts education. He also played basketball during his freshman and sophomore years and was inducted into the Academic Fraternity Epsilon Pi Tau. He graduated in 1972.

Sam began teaching at Erskine Academy in the Fall of 1972, then transferred to the new Gardiner Regional Junior High in December of 1975. Here, he inspired many students by sharing his love of the craft and encouraging creativity during those tough years of Junior High. After retiring from teaching in 1997, he acquired his school bus license to drive school buses for the school district. He also enjoyed coaching and refereeing basketball and soccer during his after-work hours.

Sam was a considerate, generous, and loving man who enjoyed keeping busy. He had a passion for tinkering with cars and motorcycles, building things, and solving puzzles like sudoku. He also loved playing sports and was willing to try anything at least once. He played tennis, golf, and rollerblading and could always just get up and run a mile on the spot, to the frustration of his daughter. Sam also had a great love for travel and explored many beautiful places in the U.S., Canada, and Ireland with his traveling partner Pat and close friends Jan and Vic Michaud and Barb and Mike McNally.

Sam is survived by his wife, Patricia Eileen Flynn O’Connor, whom he married on June 28, 1969; as well as by his loving daughter and son-in-law, Penny and Erik Inman, and his devoted son, Todd O’Connor. He will be dearly remembered by his cherished grandchildren Morgan and Madison Inman, and Nikolas O’Connor. He is also survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Lois and Mike Pollis, brother, Charles Dwyer, and husband Gilbert Bryant and Leroy Norwood, as well as sister-in-law, Peggy and Larry Sacco and brother-in-law Mike and Ellie Flynn. He was preceded in death by his mother and stepfather, Alicia and Charles Dwyer, father, Dennis O’Connor; aunt, Barbara McNally; brothers Ronald and Donald O’Connor, and Elton and Wayne Norwood.

Sam will always be remembered by many friends, former students, and coworkers as nurturing, kind, patient, generous, and a role model in numerous ways. He was a teacher by nature, even when he was not teaching.

Sam’s family would like to thank Maine General Hospice and their kind, knowledgeable staff for all their support and hard work caring for him during this time. We are especially grateful to Theresa and Emily, who helped us so much during his last days. The family also would like to thank Betty MacDonald and Janet Whalen for thoughtful, kind check-ins and support as well as the people at HAUMC for their prayers and cards that kept him smiling.

Memorial service will be held at Highland Avenue Methodist Church on Friday, May 17 at 1 p.m., followed by a reception. A private family committal will be held at Cherry Hill Cemetery, West Gardiner.

Arrangements and guidance are entrusted with Staples Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 53 Brunswick Ave., Gardiner.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the Staples Funeral Home website, http://www.staplesfuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in his memory to

Maine General Hospice,

10 Water Street, Suite 307,

Waterville, ME 04901; or

Chrysalis Place

Food Bank,

576 Brunswick Ave.,

Gardiner, ME 04345

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