James P. Connor

James P. Connor, 82 passed away on Thursday, January 15, 2015, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Pittsfield on Dec. 14, 1932 to parents Raymond T. Connor and Margaret (Daverin) Connor. He was a graduate of Pittsfield High School and the University of Massachusetts where he earned a degree in Business Administration. He served 2 years in the US Army as a Morse Code Operator in Germany, where he was married to his wife Ruth in 1956. He began his career as an underwriter for the Berkshire Life Insurance Co. of Pittsfield. By 1961, he and Ruth settled in East Longmeadow to raise their family. Jim worked for 30 years at the Friendly Ice Cream Corporation in Wilbraham where he retired as Manager of Administrative Services. He was a leader in East Longmeadow politics, having served two terms on the Board of Selectman, 8 years as the Town Clerk, as Treasurer of the EL Democratic Town Committee, and as Chair of the EL Charter Commission. He was a 54 year communicant of St. Michael�s Church and a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Lion�s Club and the St. Vincent DePaul Society. He was a post commander of the Italian American Veteran�s Association. He was a long time member and past President of the Hampden County Sheriff�s Association. He served on the boards of Elms College and the Downeyside Adoption Agency and coached youth baseball and basketball. He heroically parented not only eight children, but he provided love and shelter to homeless children, ex-offenders, recovering addicts, immigrants and students. His home was basically Treasure Island, Ellis Island and Riker�s Island all rolled into one. He loved the NY Giants and the games he attended with his dear friend Pete Sheehan. He loved to golf with his friends and his son John. He was as charismatic, humble, gregarious, and kind a gentleman as his family and friends could ever hope to know. He was predeceased by his beloved son Billy and his brothers William, Raymond and Bruce. He leaves behind his loving wife of 59 years, Ruth (Speight) Connor, his sons James P. Jr., Thomas and his wife Victoria, Joseph and his wife Theresa, Christopher and his wife Cindy, Matthew, John and his wife Jene, one daughter Patricia Boyd who was the apple of his eye and his devoted caregiver to the end. He delighted in his grandchildren Amanda, Linsey, Samantha, Katherine, Liam and Natalie as well as his great grandchildren Dylan and Jaxson and numerous nieces and nephews. Our thanks to his loyal friends Jim Sullivan, John Kuhn, Bill Kelleher, Leo Coughlin, and the recently passed Joe Scanlon; to the dedicated nurses of Hospice, intrepid Eucharistic Minister Mary Lou Bowen, Kathy Reilly and the tender loving care of nurses Jene Connor, Carol Driscoll, Mary Driscoll and especially our warrior Spartan John Kelly, who never left the field, played hurt and carried our father into the end zone. Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 18th from 2:00 to 6:00 pm at Wilbraham Funeral Home, 2551 Boston Rd., Wilbraham. Family and friends may meet for Jim�s Funeral Mass on Monday at 10:00 am at St. Michael�s Church, 128 Maple St., East Longmeadow. Burial will follow in St. Mary�s Cemetery, Hampden. Memorial contributions in Jim�s name may be made to St. Vincent de Paul Society, c/o St. Michael�s Church, 128 Maple St., East Longmeadow, MA 01028.