Jim O'Connor Inducted Into The 2021 Masonry Hall of Fame

By Dan Kamys

Jim O’Connor, Executive Director of the Mason Contractors Association of Greater Chicago, is among the most recent inductees into the Mason Contractors Association of America’s Masonry Hall of Fame. Jim’s official induction occurred on September 15th, 2021 at the Closing Dinner of the MCAA’s Midyear Meeting in Memphis, Tennessee at the historic Peabody Hotel.

“It is a huge honor, and I almost can’t even tell you whether I should take it or not because it was supposed to be people that donated their time and did so much for the industry. These guys have taken wonderful care of me. I almost feel undeserving, because it was my job to do what I’ve done and I’m very proud of it. What it means to me is phenomenal,” said Jim during his Hall of Fame induction interview.

Jim’s father, "James P. O'Connor Sr." worked at Beck Brick for almost 40 years and brought a young Jim into the industry as a teenager. He worked weekends there in the brickyard and immediately developed a great rapport with customers and the staff. Jim's passion for Masonry continued when he was offered and accepted the position of Executive Secretary of the Mason Contractors Association of Greater Chicago.

Jim has been a tireless supporter and advocate for masonry. His drive, his determination, and his perseverance, are all modestly hidden in a guys-guy exterior, beneath his jokes, his sports stories, and his openly friendly personality. He is a person that always makes time to do the right thing and the masonry industry is better off as a result of having him as an advocate.

As part of the induction process into the MCAA’s Masonry Hall of Fame, Jim completed a video interview that will be shared on YouTube and social media channels within the next few weeks.

The Masonry Hall of Fame was created to recognize and award those individuals who have dedicated their lives to the masonry industry. Each year, nominations are accepted to recognize individuals who have been a part of the masonry industry for 25 years or more and have had a major impact on the trade.

All inductees are nominated by their peers and carefully reviewed by a panel of judges. Nominees must receive two-thirds of the eligible votes in order to be accepted into the Hall of Fame.