08/24/2025
DERMOT O’CONNOR, M.D. 92, passed peacefully on July 29, 2025 in St. Petersburg, Florida, surrounded by his loving family: daughter Ailish (Tim), sons Stephen (Yingying), Peter (Lori), David (AnnMarie) and Johnny (Patty). He was born in the Glasnevin area of Dublin, Ireland on July 17, 1933, a son of Bernard O’Connor and Kathleen (Troy) O’Connor. Predeceased by his loving wife of 53 years, Maureen (Conroy)O’Connor, who died in 2015 and left a void that could never be filled. Also predeceased by his three brothers Brendan, Fergus, and Vincent.
A renowned singer and raconteur, Dermot was well known for hosting great parties with Maureen at their home in Redington Beach and at their Cove Bend Ranch in Floral City. Dermot was a highly skilled Orthopaedic surgeon, having started his own practice in St. Petersburg with partners Don Sullivan and Mike Slomka. He received degrees from Trinity College Dublin and University College Dublin, and graduated from Northwestern University in Chicago with an Orthopaedics specialty. He and Maureen moved to Florida in 1962 where Dermot interned at Mound Park Hospital and went on to practice medicine for more than 40 years, becoming head of surgery at Palms of Pasadena Hospital.
Always quick with a joke, an intelligent fact, a sound second opinion on all matters medical, or the tune of an old Irish song, and particularly skilled at changing the words of a song to humorous effect, he was much loved by his many friends and colleagues. An avid runner, he completed 25 marathons including the Boston Marathon 7 years in a row (with still the all-time family record of 3 hours and 7 minutes). Also, an avid day-trader, his worst days were when the stock market was closed and there were no Premier League matches on. He was skilled at tennis and was an ambivalent golfer, although he liked the craic that went along with golf, particularly at the 19th hole.
After Maureen’s death, he was well supported by a great network of family and lifelong friends. He lived a fantastic life and was cherished by his five children and twelve grandchildren, Nora, Clare, Helen, Vera, Owen, Dermot, Evelyn, Siobhán, Conrad, Josie, Dylan and Declan. He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends in Florida, Ireland, and Newfoundland.
Níbheidh a leithéid arís ann.