John Francis O’Connell

John Francis O'Connell, beloved artist and professor, passed away peacefully June 14th, 2026, in Salt Lake City, Utah. John was born in Worcester, Massachusetts on February 14th, 1962, during a time of record breaking temperatures historically recognized as: "the Big Freeze." He was the son of Constance and Francis O'Connell. John's childhood days were spent in the Irish back alleys of inland Massachusetts, playing cowboys and indians, shooting arrows into oak trees, pulling ticks from his scalp, and baking chocolate cake with his mother.

Days prior to his death, he was surrounded by his closest friends and family reminiscing about September sunrises, trout fishing on the Strawberry, and Monday evenings in the garden with his closest friends.

John earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Science in Art Education from the Massachusetts College of Art in 1995, followed by a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Connecticut in 1999. He taught at Middle Tennessee State University before joining the University of Utah where he was a professor for 23 years. His paintings were exhibited in galleries and museums across the country, and his work is held in collections worldwide.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Constance and Francis O'Connell. John is survived by his son, Constantine O'Connell, of Salt Lake City, brother Tommy O'Connell, and sisters Maureen Lynch, and Patricia Rocco, nephew Brennan, Jeff and Tommy Junior O'Connell, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. He had numerous sincere, longtime friends, and a beloved Cat named Aiko.

John will have a retrospective in the Fall that will be dedicated to his rich artistic profile, and his ashes will be spread on the many rivers he loved to fish, and in his ancestral homeland, Ireland.

Memorial Exhibit Thursday, October 22 · 4:30–6:30 pm Gittins Gallery, University of Utah 375 South 1530 East, Salt Lake City.