Zeke O’Connor was born in New York City in 1926. As a boy, he was encouraged by his parents to play all kinds of sports. But it wasn’t until he entered high school at Mt. St. Michael Academy that he participated in organized sport, with a particular talent in football and basketball.

While attending the University of Notre Dame, his team won the national Collegiate Championships. He graduated from Notre Dame in 1949, and went on to receive his masters at Columbia University.

His professional football career includes playing with the Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns and the New York Yanks. Zeke soon moved to Canada to play for the Toronto Argonaut’s, and is best remembered for scoring the winning touchdown in the 1952 Grey Cup.

His accomplishments go far beyond the realm of sports. He worked for Simpson Sears for more than 30 years, most notably as the Assistant Vice President of Public Affairs, but spent much of his free time volunteering with several organizations. Some of these include The Easter Seals Society, Special Olympics, and The Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada.

He took early retirement at the age of 57 so he could dedicate more time to these worthy causes, including, The Sir Edmund Hillary Foundation, which he founded in 1974 and continues to play an active role. In 1987 Zeke founded the Special Olympics in Nepal.

One of his biggest thrills was as honorary coach of the Canadian Special Olympics team, and leading them into the opening ceremonies during the (1987) World Games at Notre Dame.

Zeke is most proud of his three children and seven grandchildren.