Saint Joseph's University mourns the passing of SJU Athletics Hall of Fame member and longtime ice hockey club team coach Finbarr O'Connor.

Mr. O'Connor served as the head coach for the Hawks' ice hockey club team for 34 years, beginning his service in 1971. He was instrumental in forming the first hockey league in the area, the Delaware Valley Collegiate Hockey Conference, which was the model for the establishment of the American Collegiate Hockey Association, the national organization for club hockey.

Mr. O'Connor became first player or coach from a Saint Joseph's club team to be inducted into the SJU Athletics Hall of Fame when he was honored on October 31, 2015.

Relatives and friends are invited to a Life Celebration at Boyd-Horrox-Givnish of East Norriton, (200 W. Germantown Pike), on Thursday, October 13 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. On Friday, October 14, there will be a viewing at Epiphany of Our Lord Church (3050 Walton Road, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462) from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery in West Conshohocken.