Raymond John ’Ashes’ O’Connor
1 July 1945 – 9 July 2024
The name of ’Ashes’ O’Connor has been a key part of the Pakenham Football Club and Pakenham Cricket Club spanning back to the 1960s.
The Pakenham sporting community has lost one of its most passionate supporters, with Raymond John ’Ashes’ O’Connor passing away recently at the age of 79.
In terms of his connection with the Pakenham Football Club, he was a junior and senior player during the 60s and 70s.
On top of his time on the ground, Ashes was also a long-serving committee man and ran a number of social functions with the help of his late wife Ros, including the cocktail nights and the legendary Pakenham Cup Day function in the Igloo.
He was also a senior team manager for many seasons, and junior team manager and runner for a number of seasons, including during a premiership with his great mate Jim Dore, who was coach of the side and also sadly passed away recently.
As a life member of the club since 1998, he had devoted more than 50 years of service to the club he loved.
Ashes’ biggest impact at the club was the relationships he created with the young players who were just starting their football journey with the club, with his mentorship and relationship a significant factor in creating outstanding footballers and outstanding people.
Within the Pakenham Cricket Club, Ashes was a key member of the club’s famous ’Dad’s Army’ – a crew of premiership winners which dominated during the 70’s and 80’s, including two premierships in 1977/78 and 1980/81.
President Phil Anning said Ashes was a popular fixture across both the on-field and off-field aspects of the club and was an inaugural social member of the club.
“He was a regular attendee at the games on Saturday and a great supporter of all players in all grades,“ he said.
“He loved his Saturdays at the club having a few beers with his old teammates, watching the cricket and races and sharing a chat with the players after the day’s play.
“He will be sadly missed by all at both the football and cricket club.“
Ashes was also heavily involved with the Pakenham Tennis Club during the 80’s and 90’s, with the after-parties at his and his wife Rosslyn’s house after the club nights always highly popular.
He also loved playing squash at the former local courts.
Nephew Matt Ahern said his uncle was locally renowned for his 50 years of work as a carpenter/builder.
“He was regarded as a craftsman in his trade,“ he said.
“Ashes was a loving and caring person with a lot of rascal in him.
“He was a joker and had a lot of one-liners and he loved a bit of mischief.“
Ashes was the brother of Kenneth (deceased), David, Gwenda, Robert and Peter, brother-in-law of Heather (deceased), John, Sue and Barbara and a loved uncle and great-uncle of a number of nieces and nephews.
