Thomas Connors, Sr.

Thomas Leonard Connors, Sr., 94, of Orlando, FL, passed away on Wednesday, August 24, 2016. A man of faith, a loving husband and father, a loyal citizen and combat veteran. He was born in Perth Amboy, NJ where he was raised by his widowed mother. Despite never knowing his father he was very proud of his Irish heritage. After graduating from Woodbridge High School, he went to work for a local company until he volunteered to join the Navy where he served throughout World War II, seeing combat in the South Pacific as a crew member of a small landing support craft. He was the only non-casualty of his four man gun crew which was credited with shooting down three enemy aircraft. His next assignment was on a troop carrier which ran into a mine outside of Okinawa harbor but was able to make it back to Pearl Harbor though extensively damaged. He considered every day of his life after his discharge to be a bonus. He married Irene, his wife of 60 years, and helped her raise their three children. Throughout his career in sales he was always active in his church, his children's school and sports activities and was a lifelong blood donor. After retiring from Advanced A&D of Winter Park, he became very active in St. James parish in downtown Orlando leading the annual blood drive efforts there as well as serving as a frequent reader and evening receptionist. He was also a Ranger at Dubsdread Golf Course and maintained a regular foursome there for many years. Tom had a wonderful singing voice and was a terrific harmonica player who loved Broadway shows and piano jazz and was a lifelong New York Yankee and Notre Dame football fan. One of his favorite roles in life was being the proud grandfather of Austin and Thomas. He will be remembered by all who met him as a happy man who made others around him feel loved. He is survived by sons Thom (Nancy) and Kevin (Theresa) and daughter Maureen (John), grandsons Austin and Thomas. A visitation will be held at St. James Cathedral, 215 N. Orange Avenue, Orlando, on Saturday, August 27, 2016 from 10:00 am until time of funeral mass at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers the family asks that contributions be considered to the Red Cross, Central Florida Region. Arrangements entrusted to Carey Hand Colonial Funeral Home, Orlando, FL.

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