With dignity and faith, surrounded by family, Raymond Joseph O’Connor, 79, of Grand Island, NE passed from this life on Monday, August 17, 2026. Mass of the Christian burial will be Friday August 21, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Grand Island. Most Rev. Joseph G. Hanefeldt will preside, with Bishop Emeritus Most Rev. William J. Dendinger, Rev. Jorge Canela, and other priests of the Diocese of Grand Island concelebrating. Interment will be in Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Military honors will be rendered by Offutt Air Force Honor Team and United Veterans Honor Guard. A rosary will be recited at 3 p.m. Thursday, August 20, 2026 at St. Mary’s Cathedral, followed by visitation from 4 – 7 p.m. In Lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Saint Mary’s Cathedral. Your thoughts and prayers may be given at www.curranfuneralchapel.com under Ray’s obituary. Curran Funeral Chapel is assisting the family and is entrusted with arrangements.

Ray was born May 27, 1947, in Sioux City, Iowa. He was the son of Vincent R. and Angela C. (Duffy) O’Connor. Ray attended St. Joseph Catholic Grade School and graduated from Bishop Heelan High School in Sioux City in 1965. Throughout grade and high school, Ray was active in athletics and the Boy Scouts of America.

Ray received his B.A.E. degree from Wayne State College and his M.S.W. degree from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, NE. Prior to attending graduate school in Lincoln, Ray was called to military service and proudly served his country in South Vietnam in 1968 and 1969 as a team leader of the 37th SPS Cobra Sniper Ambush Unit. Ray was extremely proud that all members of his team returned home – No One left behind.

The very best moments of Ray’s life came on November 8th, 1975, when he married the love of his life, Jennifer Schmidt. Ray and Jennifer were blessed to have three children: Sean, Kelli, and Ryan. Ray took great joy in watching his children grow into successful and compassionate adults. His children were his pride and joy, and Jennifer was the true light of his life. Ray just loved being with Jennifer and you could see that in his eyes every single time he looked at her. His family was his reason.

Ray and Jennifer chose to live in Jennifer’s hometown of Grand Island where Ray was employed at the Veterans Hospital as a psychiatric social worker.

Ray began his business career in 1977 when he co-founded the Olympic Village chain of sporting goods stores with his partner, Tom Swiatoviak. Ray sold his interest in the Olympic Village stores in 1984 and, realizing that he had a knack for development, founded O’Connor Enterprises. Ray partnered with his friend Ken Stabb to purchase and develop Wendy’s restaurants in Nebraska and Colorado, selling his interest to the Staab family in 1994. Ray continued his Real Estate development career in the development of hotels, shopping centers, apartment home communities, and big box retail stores throughout the Mid-Western United States until his retirement.

Ray held a deep belief in caring for the Grand Island community and stressed constantly that importance to his children. He served on the board of Directors of the Central Community College Foundation, the Citizens Review Committee, the Grand Island Area Economic Development Corporation, and the Grand Island Area Chambers of Commerce. Ray served on the Board of Directors for Bosselman Enterprise for many years - an organization and family he deeply admired.

First and foremost, Ray was a faith-filled man whose life was lived with the utmost integrity, and one wholly concerned with family and their well-being. Ray was a devout catholic who enjoyed attending daily Mass and served as a corporate director for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Grand Island and trustee for Saint Mary’s Cathedral.

Ray helped his hometown of Grand Island through a lifetime of achievement and passionate philanthropy. He was a generous benefactor and ardent champion of civic initiatives and built a legacy that reverberates throughout nonprofits and foundations dear to him. Ray was a man of humbleness and humanity whose fierce belief in the care of his community and commitment to give generously, cheerfully, through quiet philanthropy will forever remain his legacy.

The creation of the O’Connor Learning Center was one of the most gratifying events of Ray’s business career. Partnering with the Grand Island Public Schools, an incredible opportunity was achieved to serve thousands of young children and their families in the Grand Island Community.

Ray’s deep personal care for his employees over his many business ventures led to many enduring friendships that extended well throughout his life. He was proud to be able to assist them to achieve a better life.

Ray desired to thank all the contractors, sub-contractors, and their employees who helped him grow O’Connor Enterprises over the past many years, as well as the local financial institutions who supported him throughout his business career.

A note of gratitude to Ray’s business partners throughout the years – the Francis Family, Tom Swiatoviak, Ken Staab, Bob Pavelka, Chuck Schwartz, Cliff & Kathy Mesner, Gene McCloud, Junior Roebuck, and Michael Staenberg, individuals who impacted his life.

A very special note of gratitude to his dear friend and counselor, Evie Wright, who served as Director of Operations for O’Connor Enterprises for 32 years and to Karen Barajas who served as leasing director for O’Connor Enterprises for 14 years.

Ray is preceded in death by his parents, Vincent and Angela O’Connor; his father and mother-in-law, Kenneth and Phyllis Schmidt; uncles Ray and Francis Duffy; aunts, Grace Green, and Marie Hamm; and cousins Robert, Barbara & Mike Green.

Ray is survived by his wife, Jennifer; his children, Sean O’Connor, Kelli Holl, Ryan O’Connor; son-in-law, Ben Holl, daughters in law; Jeannie O’Connor and Lisa O’Connor; as well as grandchildren, Patrick O’Connor, Brennen O’Connor, Sienna O’Connor, Alma O’Connor, Ava O’Connor, Elijah Holl, Abigail Holl, Silas Holl, Sarah Holl, his sister Mary Martin and her husband Scott, and a very special brother, Thomas Patrick O’Connor, and cousins; Terry Duffy, and Diane Duffy, other relatives and host of friends.

Ray will forever be remembered for his boundless energy, extraordinary work ethic, generous spirit, and the genuine heartfelt kindness he bestowed on his family, friends, colleagues and clients.