He was one of three children of John F. O’Connor, a mail carrier, and Marie O'Connor (née Meany), an office worker.
In the eighth grade he won a citywide essay competition and was presented with a silver medal by Governor James Michael Curley.
During his freshman year at Boston College, he joined the army and served in the China Burma India Theater during World War II.
He was also the staff cartoonist for The Stylus, the college's literary magazine, and The Heights, the student newspaper.
[2] In 1950 he received his master's degree from Boston College and was offered a teaching job, which he accepted.