Marty was born in Wilmington, to the late Jean Meta (Wood) O'Connor and Martin J. O'Connor (II). He lived in Philadelphia until the age of 7, before he and his mother moved back to Wilmington. He graduated from Brown Technical High School and went on to earn his bachelor's degree in Chemistry from the University of Delaware.

Marty served in the Army reserves as a radar repairman, while stationed at Fort Worth, TX. Following his time in the reserves, he began a nearly 50 year career at Hercules Inc. He started as a lab assistant and then a food chemist. After creating 5 food related patents, Marty transitioned to representing Hercules on an international scale for most their major accounts. This work took him all over the world, something he truly enjoyed. If you spent any time with Marty, chances are you heard him talk about carrageenan or pectin — topics he knew inside and out and found ways interject it in any conversation.

Marty was also known as "Mama Marty," an elderly female dressed in a Shaw, wig and glasses. He utilized "Mama" to keep audiences engaged and entertained during arduous and detail-oriented food chemistry lectures as well as promotional events. It was classic Marty humor and the story of Mama Marty stayed with him for years.

In his younger years, Marty enjoyed bowling, but golf became his greatest passion. He belonged to Hercules Country Club (later Delaware National), and Cavaliers Country Club, and served as Handicap Chairman at Hercules. He also represented the Delaware State Golf Association and the Golf Association of Philadelphia, and served as Treasurer of the Mid-Atlantic Senior Golf Association. Golf brought him a lot joy including a strong sense of community, particularly among his close-knit group of golf buddies, humorously know as the FOGs.

Marty loved the Philadelphia Eagles and took his football pools seriously — but not without fun. Family and friends regularly got calls from him asking for their picks or simply a "woman's intuition," always hoping it might bring a little extra luck

Marty was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Ellen (Passwaters) O'Connor, in 2018, as well as his parents.

He is survived by his daughter, Suzanne (Tom) Lenhard of Long Neck, Delaware; his grandchildren, Gaige Lenhard (Laini) and Lily Lenhard; his sister-in-law, Mary Ebright (Jim); his cousin, Suzanne Lundy; his niece and nephew, Caryl and Brian Ebright; and his great-niece, Jade Ebright.

Friends are invited to visit on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 7200 Lancaster Pike, Hockessin, Delaware. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated after the viewing, followed by interment at All Saints Cemetery, Wilmington.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Online condolences may be shared at MealeyFuneralHome.com