UNION CITY — Union City High School students and other community members said their final goodbyes this week to Jack O’Connor, a longtime Union City English and drama teacher who passed away recently.
According to friends, after O’Connor didn’t meet family for dinner as scheduled last Friday night, they called police. The following morning, O’Connor was found by his cousin (along with the police and Fire Department) on the bedroom floor of his condo. Although the official cause of death has not been released, a friend said that it is believed O’Connor had a heart attack.
O’Connor, who taught for over 31 years and was considering retirement, was known by many as a mentor and friend, including Alex Perez, High Tech High School’s drama teacher.
He said that on Sunday after hearing the news, he learned that O’Conner had purchased seven tickets to see the production he is directing with the Bergen County group Old Theatre Library. They have decided to donate 50 percent of all proceeds raised at their July 31 2 p.m. performance to be put toward a scholarship fund his family is setting up in his name. Tickets are $20 and for more information, visit www.theatremania.com or 1(866) 811-4111.
Below is a letter written by Perez:
I was proud to not only have Jack as a teacher for four years, but Jack was also a dear friend for the past 20 years. As a student and artist, he challenged me to go beyond the norm, challenge my limits and think outside the box. His wisdom, love of the theatre and knowledge of culture was definitely a direct influence on my work as a performer and director. I talked him into starting a drama club in the early 90’s, my senior year in High School and he became our advisor. He let us explore and reach beyond our limits. He gave us confidence and hope. After high school, we stayed in touch repeatedly and he managed to attend almost every single production I was either performing in or have directed or produced in the last 20 years. From NY stages, off-Broadway, staged readings whether in NJ or NY, he was there. He even came to a birthday bash I had last year where he danced the night away with many of his alumni students.
We had repeated ‘check in’ calls every other month or so just to hear and discuss what was going on in the world. I was lucky to have a sophisticated, smart and witty mentor as a friend in my life. He loved his students. He would tell me about all of his students through the years, and what they were up to. His life and family WERE his students. He did anything he could do to support all of us. He made everyone feel special. We would discuss what shows he would want to produce next. His death was recent and unexpected and of course, a shock. I had just spoken to him 2 weeks prior. We discussed his plans for next year’s show at the high school and planned a little get together with some alumni students before the summer was over. That was Jack, making sure he made time for everyone.
Sunday night after the tragic news, I found out that he purchased 8 tickets to my upcoming directorial production of Jesus Christ Superstar, closing night. I was devastated of the news, but it was the ‘norm’ for him to be there in the audience supporting as usual. Of course he won’t be there, but his friends still plan on going because it’s what Jack would have wanted. JCS is one of his all-time favorite musicals and he knew that I would make the show edgy, challenging and racy and outside of the box (the way Jack would have liked it).
After attending the wake Wednesday afternoon I felt helpless and wanted to give back so much after reading and seeing all of what Jack had given to others. I felt that putting $50, $100 or even $200 in an envelope towards a scholarship fund in his name was STILL not enough for me. The wonderful people at the Old Library Theatre (where my production of JCS will take place in Fair Lawn, NJ) have decided to make the Saturday July 31st, 2PM show a Jack O’Connor tribute performance where we are able to donate 50% of the proceeds of that afternoon performance to the Scholarship Fund. I am so happy that we can do this and offer a chance to raise some REAL money towards a scholarship fund.
So I invite you to come to the Saturday July 31st, 2PM show of Jesus Christ Superstar – a Rock Opera and help make a difference in the future of some very talented students that can have the advantage to pursue the arts and continue their dreams and successes in life the same way I and plenty of other students of Jack O’Connor have. I am so thrilled to be doing this and so are the cast and crew of the production. We plan on presenting a check with the total of money we raise, to Jack’s friends at the start of closing night’s show on August 8th.
But in order to make this happen, I am asking that you spread the word about this Saturday July 31st, 2PM show to help make a difference. I am hoping to fill every seat and raise a couple of thousand dollars for the Scholarship Fund. Please keep in mind that the subject matter is for mature audiences and not recommended for kids under 13 years old. But it promises to be a revisionist, entertaining afternoon of theatre, great rock music and timeless popular songs from the hit rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar – in memory of Jack O’Connor and the legacy he leaves behind. — Alex Perez