Blaise M. O'Connor

With loved ones at his side, Blaise Martin O’Connor, 65, passed away peacefully on September 1, 2026, at Sanford Medical Center, Fargo, ND, after enduring a battle with cancer.

Blaise was born April 3, 1961, in St. Paul, MN to Robert and Mary Lou (Langevin) O’Connor. He grew up in North St. Paul, MN with his family of 5 siblings and many foster children, graduating from North St. Paul High School in 1979. A competitive swimmer, he was Captain of the swim team (Go Polars!). He went on to attend Lakewood Community College, then the Brown Institute and Minnesota School of Business.

Blaise married Barbara Boyd and in September of 1987, they welcomed his greatest joy, daughter Meghan Mary. They lived in Sioux Falls, SD, then Pensacola, Florida.

Upon returning to Minnesota, Blaise worked at UPS while attending Metropolitan State University in Minneapolis, earning his bachelor’s degree. During this time, he met the love of his life, Helen Walkinshaw, at a wedding in Fargo in September of 1993. Soul mates from the onset, they married on September 9, 1995.

In 1997 Blaise and Helen started St. Blaise Security. Truly knowledgeable, Blaise became an expert installing alarm protection, camera, and access systems. He had a deep appreciation for and earnest desire to meet the needs of his customers. Active in the business until his passing, he kept security tight…even running the business together Helen didn’t know all the passcodes!

Helen introduced Blaise to the world of aviation, a passion they shared through his lifetime. Upon moving to Fargo, he worked for Helen’s father at Walkinshaw Aircraft and seasonally over the years. He had the opportunity to learn to fly himself, logging around 200 hours with just a student pilot’s license. He was active at the Fargo Air Museum over the years and was a proud and valued member of the Fargo AirSho Committee.

Capable and resourceful, Blaise was a true jack of all trades. He could do—or figure out how to do—anything he set his mind to. He enjoyed working with his hands, building or repairing things both mechanically and otherwise. He was kind and very quick-witted, with an often-dry sense of humor, but always a warm heart. He kept others smiling until the end, entertaining hospital staff with a smile and a glint in his eyes. His smile reflected his soul. He enjoyed swimming, rollerblading, cooking, old cars, airplanes, air shows, classic rock, NASCAR, restoration projects, putting on fireworks displays, and, of course, his beloved companions, Sir George “Boomer”rang O’Connor and Boomer’s brothers, Orville and Wilbur.

Blaise is survived by wis wife Helen Walkinshaw O’Connor, Argusville, ND, his Daughter Meghan (Jared Koepsell) O’Connor, Denver, CO; Sisters Robyn Cook, Minneapolis, MN, Colleen (Mark) Hedman, Brockport, NY, Jeanine (Jeff) Weschke, Oakdale, MN; Brothers Christopher (Katie) O’Connor, Woodbury, MN, Lawrence (Sheri) O’Connor, Big Lake, MN; also, many nieces and nephews, loving in-laws, cousins and long-time friends.

Blaise was preceded in death by his parents Bob and Mary Lou, and his father and mother in-law Warren and Mildred Walkinshaw.

A Celebration of Life Service will be on Friday, September 11, 2026, at 2:00pm at Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center, Fargo – with a Visitation at 1:00pm – please come and share your favorite memory of Blaise. Interment will take place at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Fargo. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Sanford Roger Maris Cancer Center, Fargo, the Fargo Air Museum, or a charity of your choice.