Jefferey Michael O’Connor

With profound love and heartbreak, I announce the passing of my beloved, Jeff O’Connor, age 64, of Hoffman Estates on June 16th, 2026, after a 25-month battle with renal cell carcinoma. He was an amazing man who fiercely loved his children Patrick and Emily his mother Diane Kampfe, younger sister Carrie Mulligan, brother-in-law Mike Mulligan and his stepdaughter Gabriella Hoxie. Jeff was born on February 4 th 1962, at Resurrection hospital in Chicago to Diane Kampfe (De Francesca) and John Patrick O’Connor. Grandson of David and Esther DeFrancesca and Patrick and Catherine O’Connor. He went to Portage Park Elementary School and graduated from Weber High School in 1981. Jeff was a firefighter with the Westchester Fire Department from 1989 to 2003. He was injured on the job and missed his calling every day of his life. He referred to being a firefighter as the “best job in the world”. He then went on to work for ISO insurance until an auto accident changed his professional path. Jeff’s final job was as a school bus driver for Naperville 203. He was liked and loved by all who worked with him as especially his “kiddos” on the bus. He was exceptional with students with disabilities; they loved the music he would play to calm their nerves and make their journey to school fun. Though Jeff loved and cherished many things in his life his greatest joy was his children Patrick O’Connor of Tampa Bay, Florida and Emily O’Connor of Lombard, Illinois. He loved them unconditionally was devoted to them, and supported them through every stage of their lives. He was incredibly proud of the amazing people they have become. Jeff was blessed to have Darryl Kampfe as a stepfather who showed Jeff fatherly love. Jeff loved my daughter Gabriella and treated her as his own. He loved being around his friends and family and he constantly made new friends while cherishing the ones he already had. He loved to have people over to celebrate for any reason. Getting a St. Patrick’s Day invite is the one you wanted to receive. He especially loved being up at his cottage in Crystal Falls in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. He was happiest driving his pontoon fishing, sitting by the fire, enjoying the pure air while relaxing with friends and family in God’s Country. Jeff is survived by his uncle Tim O’Connor and many first and second cousins. He was preceded in death by his father John Patrick O’Connor, David and Esther De Francesca Patrick and Catherine O’Connor, Aunt Evie, Aunt Florence, Aunt Linda, Uncle Larry and Cousin Kelly O’Connor. Mass will be on Friday June 26th at 11:00 am at St. Mary’s Church, 397 Fulton Street, Elgin Il and luncheon to follow at Chandler’s 401 N. Roselle Road, Schaumburg, Il.