This year, the labour movement lost a giant: Brother Terry O’Connor was a tireless activist and an inspiration to countless union members over the years. He passed away last month in Oshawa and was laid to rest in Powassan, Ontario.
Terry was CUPE Ontario’s longest-serving Secretary-Treasurer, spending 16 years as an officer of our union. During his tenure, he oversaw the development and growth of CUPE Ontario’s committees, campaigns and our fall and spring schools. His work helped shape both the political and structural direction of CUPE Ontario and his legacy is distinguished by a deep commitment to social justice and to the wider labour movement.
Terry began his career as a social worker, becoming the first elected president of CUPE 1764 in the newly established Region of Durham, where he later served as a school board trustee. During his CUPE career, he also served on the executive of CUPE National and was active in the Ontario Federation of Labour.
After serving as CUPE Ontario’s Secretary-Treasurer, Terry made his home in northern Ontario, serving as a community chaplain in North Bay for many years. He stayed active in the labour movement as president of the North Bay and District Labour Council and, in 2003, he stood as the NDP candidate for the riding of Nipissing.
Terry’s was a life of service, driven by an unerring sense of social justice, underpinned by deep solidarity with workers everywhere. He offered his guidance and leadership freely and at CUPE Ontario, we are grateful for both his example and for the lasting contributions he made to our union and to the labour movement.
