Feb
2
Written by:
SuperUser Account
02 February 2012
Mike O’Connor sadly passed away on Wednesday 4th January 2012 following a lengthy illness. Mike will be remembered as a local business man and Architect whose practice continues to flourish in the form of Darnton EGS Ltd. A Pontefract lad, Mike established his own practice in the mid 1960’s. He was involved in the early days of Associated Dairies (being the forerunner to Asda Stores) and provided Architectural services to that company throughout his working career – a tradition which the firm still proudly upholds to this day. He merged his practice in the 1970’s with a Stockton based practice to form DEWJOC (Darnton Elgee Wrightson Jackman O’Connor) which had its design studio in Park Street, Selby prior to expanding and moving into its current home in the Coach House situated in the grounds of Monk Fryston Hall. Mike was heavily involved with the conversion of the Coach House in 1988/89, being a dilapidate part of the ‘Listed’ Hall Estate and was proud winner of a local conservation award at that time.
In 1992, Mike (together with fellow Partners Dennis Powell and Martin Hill) took the difficult decision to go it alone once again, as the recession of the early 1990’s started to bite. Thus the Partnership of Darnton Elgee Architects was formed in 1992 which traded under that name for many years.
Mike eventually retired from the business in 1997 and has lived locally for most of his retirement. His legacy continued through Darnton Elgee Architects with the firm incorporating in 2008 to trade as Darnton EGS Ltd with offices in London and Bristol alongside the Monk Fryston based head office.
Mike’s contribution to the firm and local business is acknowledged by Darnton EGS and our condolences offered to Mike’s family.