William James "Jim" O'Connor

William James ("Jim") O'Connor, 72, a Cape Coral, FL resident for the past five and a half years, formerly of Middlebury, VT, passed away Wednesday, February 24, 2016 in Cape Coral. He was born in Duluth, MN to Willis and Emma O'Connor, now deceased. Jim was a graduate of Williams College. He pursued doctoral studies in American History at Cornell University, where he met his wife. After leaving Cornell they lived in Princeton, NJ, and then spent 33 years in Middlebury, VT, retiring to Cape Coral, FL in 2010. Jim and Nancy traveled and lived in France on many occasions, nurturing his love of all things French, most particularly cooking, good food, and fine wine. He was an avid reader and a fixture at the public library, and loved dogs and walking on the beach. He had a keen and quirky sense of humor that could be disconcerting at times. Last, but far from least, Jim was a passionate fan of the New England Patriots. He is survived by his beloved wife of 46 years, Nancy O'Connor of Cape Coral; a brother, Robert O'Connor (Monica Halas) of Boston, MA; a cousin, Thomas Jordan of Duluth, MN; brother in law, Christopher Myers of Cary, NC; as well as two nieces, Genève Allison (Michael Murphy) of Melrose, MA and Emma Halas-O'Connor of Portland, ME. No formal services are planned at this time. Memorial Contributions in memory of William James O'Connor are suggested to Hope Hospice, 9470 Healthpark Circle, Ft. Myers, FL 33908. Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cape Coral, is entrusted with final care.