Michael O'Connor

Profile Updated: June 29, 2019
Residing In: India
Pre-Retirement Occupation: Diretor of Research & Operation for wastewater and air pollution
Children: I love children but I have not been blessed, I do my best to be a good and kind uncle Mike
Website: www.engreenglobal.com
How did you find our class website?

On the Internet

If you could build a second house anywhere, where would it be?

Punta del Diablo, Rocha Uruguay or Cuenca, Ecuador

Do you still have family that live around Crystal Lake?

No

How often do you get back to Crystal Lake?

Not very often

Would you ever move back to the Crystal Lake area?

I plan to retire in Cuenca, Ecuador South America

What got you into the kind of work you are or were doing?

I am currently working with a new catalyst that reduces pollution and increases the efficiency of coal fired power plants

What previous jobs did you do?

I was a Flight Attendant for Eastern Airlines for 17 years.

I lived in Honduras where I was involved in sustainable harvesting and manufacture of tropical hardwood products.

I was a Loan Officer working on Cape Cod, Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard.

I have also worked for Hawaii Public Radio and I was an announcer at Nevada Public Radio.

I had fine art large format photography business that specialized in very esoteric black and white chemical processing. I published an article in View Camera Magazine.

I have two regrets that I never took advantage of, medical school scholarship at SIU and I was offered a position with ABC News as a reporter in El Salvador during the war in 1984.

What did you do immediately following high school?

Finished my flight instruction earning a private pilot's license. I then went SIU.

What do you see yourself doing in 2029?

Living in some forgotten, end of the road, artist / fishing village in South America.

How long have you been married?

I was married for 15 years divorced in 2006

Do you still see/talk to/hang out with any classmates? Who?

Occasionally I call, Gerald Wilhemi, Marc Musyl and Mark Hamby. I keep in touch frequently with Ken Ormsby Class of 1968. Steve Brown (Barbie Browns brother) Class of 1965

What have been the high points of your life since high school?

Having a lot of fun flying for Eastern Airlines. I was able to visit many of the great museums in North America and Mexico. Unfortunately I have been to such dire places as Haiti and being involved in the repatriation of boat people. This often caused me to contemplate the best and worst of our common humanity.

In 1976 I designed and built the first solar house to incorporate foam insulation, a wood stove and a compost waste system.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I like to do all the mechanical work on my 1983 (in mint condition) Mercedes Benz 300D Turbo Diesel. Then go for rides on the county roads and 2 lane highways across America looking for towns that have kept their sense of place. Camping at the beautiful campgrounds this country has to offer. My car has an allergy to the Interstate Highways System.

We do not have a TV, I read a lot, Noam Chomsky, Chris Hedges, Naomi Klein, Robert Scheer and Howard Zinn are some of my favorites.

Favorite places to visit?

Panajachel, Lake Attillan, Gautemala.

Places you want to visit but have not yet done so?

Antartica and South America

What are your memories of high school?

Hanging out with Ted Benhke he had a great sense of humor. I wish he was still with us.

Who was your favorite teacher at CLCHS and why?

I can not remember his name, (I think it was Williams) he taught reading improvement (He was also the assistant football coach). I took his class for two years, I tested at a doctoral level of reading. I was always the first to an finish exams while at SIU and had a grade point to be a president's scholar. This skill has assisted me greatly. I think of him often and wish I could thank him for what he imparted on me. Mr. Peaco, I remember fondly,and for teaching the importance of History to comprehend on how we got to where we are. Miss Crogan was one of the kindest and the best English teacher I ever had.

What famous or interesting people have you met?

So many while flying I can not remember them all: Dan Rather, Rep. Peter Rodino (D. NJ), Frank Borman & some other guy that walked on the Moon, Benjermin Spock M.D., Ray Charles, Sen. Ted Kennedy, Sen Fritz Hollings, Joe Dimaggio (I was the most impressed by him, a real class act) Pres. Jean-Betrand Aristide of Haiti, Allman Brother Band, Jacques Cousteau, Jethro Tull. Dick Gregory, Henny Youngmen, Buckminster Fuller, Chester Coates PhD. (author of the Model Cities Program) he was a neighbor and friend.

What cool things have you done? (Cool being defined as whatever YOU think is cool!)

I quit drinking when I was 30, quit smoking at 37. I have had over 10 surgical procedures on my back, I was on morphine for 6 years, I never gave up looking for a way to get off the pain meds. I found a doctor that performed radio frequency ablation, which reduced the pain to level where I no longer needed such heavy medication. Taking care of your body is the coolest thing one can do.

Any words of wisdom?

I knew our generation was in trouble when Jerry Rubin became a stock broker.

After reading Naomi Klein's "The Shock Doctrine" I came to the opinion that Milton Friedman is what his initials are.

Turning the Seven Deadly Sins into Sacraments is how we got to where we are.

While driving on the back roads of the Sandhills of Nebraska it occurred to me; that I wish the beauty of our country would find its way into the hearts of those that are trying to divide us.

Watched the sunrise with someone? Tell us about it!

The best place to watch a sunrise is from the cockpit of jet with large windshield at 43,000 feet.

What animal would you be if you could choose one?

An African Grey Parrot with Tourettes Syndrome

Have you ever just sat outside in the rain?

With an umbrella

Where were you born?

Worcester, Massachusetts

Have you ever been on TV? Tell us the story!

Yes, I did media relations for Evergreen America Inc. I was interviewed on consumer affairs report on mileage improvement using one our products MotorSilk.
I was also interviewed about my solar house on a TV station in Providence, RI

Name something you love.

My Family, Friends and Books

How do you relax? (Mentally and/or physically!)

Pet my cat

Watching old black and white movies with screen play or adaptation of novels written by Tennessee Williams, William Inge, Bud Schulberg, Graham Green, larry McCurtry and John Steinbeck

When was the last time you belly laughed?

Watching the movie Desperate Living, Edith Massey cracks me up.

Anything else we should know?

I have a very caustic sense of humor.

Michael's Latest Interactions

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Aug
07
Aug 07, 2023 at 2:21 PM

Wow, you have led an interesting life!

Michael O'Connor has a birthday today.
Apr
07
Apr 07, 2023 at 3:33 AM
Michael O'Connor has a birthday today.
Apr 07, 2022 at 3:33 AM
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Apr 21, 2021 at 9:59 AM

Posted on: Apr 07, 2021 at 3:33 AM

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Posted on: Apr 07, 2020 at 3:34 AM

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Posted on: Jun 29, 2019 at 2:31 PM

Michael O'Connor has a birthday today.
Apr 07, 2019 at 3:33 AM
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Aug 04, 2018 at 10:02 AM
Michael O'Connor has left an In Memory comment for Phil Clough.
Jul 28, 2018 at 3:33 PM

Phil was an exceptional, kind, smart, and great individual, he always had a smile

Michael O'Connor added a comment on his Profile.
Jul 23, 2018 at 8:41 PM
Michael O'Connor added a comment on his Profile.
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Michael O'Connor has a birthday today.
Apr 07, 2018 at 3:33 AM
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Jun 26, 2017 at 4:50 AM
Michael O'Connor has a birthday today.
Apr 07, 2017 at 3:33 AM
Apr 14, 2016 at 8:09 PM

Hi Peggy,

I came across a book by one of my favorite writers Morris Berman, " Neurotic Beauty: An Outsider Looks at Japan. There is also a lecture on YouTube by him In Praise of Shadows which he discusses his time in Japan. I think you might enjoy it. Please say high to your brother.

Regards,

Mike

Michael O'Connor has a birthday today.
Apr 07, 2016 at 3:33 AM
Michael O'Connor has a birthday today.
Apr 07, 2015 at 3:33 AM
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Posted: Dec 16, 2013 at 11:06 PM