Boston --- Mt. Washington Bank is pleased to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Mr. John O'Connor's service to the bank as a member of its board of directors.

Commenting on the occasion, Edward Merritt, president and CEO said, "John O'Connor has dedicated a significant portion of his life to helping Mt. Washington Bank grow from an under $10 million institution with one branch in South Boston to an over $300 million community banking powerhouse with soon to be 5 locations serving many communities and neighborhoods. His commitment to the bank and to its mission is unchallenged and we look forward to his guidance and counsel for many years ahead."

Mr. O'Connor is a native of South Boston. He joined the bank's board in 1963, replacing his father. At age 21, he was one of the youngest bank directors in the United States and to the present day has never missed a meeting of the board. A graduate of Providence College, Mr. O'Connor began a career as an educator in the Boston Public Schools working as a teacher and assistant principal at The Jeremiah Burke in Dorchester, the Solomon Lewenberg in Mattapan and Dorchester High School. He retired in 1992 and began a still thriving real estate appraisal business in South Boston with his wife, Beverly.

In addition to his duties for the bank, Mr. O'Connor has been an active member of the community. In 1966 he chaired the committee that raised funds to erect the statue of Rev. Joseph LaPorte on Columbia Rd. in South Boston. Fr. LaPorte, a friend of Mr. O'Connor's, was a popular priest in the neighborhood and had won praise for his work with young people of the South Boston community. The committee, under Mr. O'Connor, raised a total of $10,000 through its efforts. To this day he still works with the bank and its philanthropy committee to oversee the efforts of the Mt. Washington Charitable Foundation and donate tens of thousands of dollars back to the communities the bank serves.

Commenting on his 40 years of service, Mr. O'Connor said, "It has been an honor to watch Mt. Washington Bank grow over the past four decades. I am very excited and proud to know that I have contributed to the success and tremendous growth of the bank, particularly over the past few years. I believe that the current leadership of Mt. Washington, under Ed Merritt, has paved the way for this institution to become the premiere community bank for all of Boston and I am looking forward to my future service and in helping that goal become a reality."

An avid runner and fitness enthusiast, Mr. O'Connor works out regularly at the Boston Athletic Club and still runs Castle Island. For many years he also participated in the Falmouth Road Race, a pre-marathon qualifying race. He has been married for 38 years and has a son and two daughters. He also has six grandchildren, all under the age of six.

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