Father Connor Connor

Father William J. Connor, 89, a Columbus priest for 64 years, died Thursday, December 9, 2010 at Mohun Health Care Center. His smiling eyes, Irish wit and thoughtful concern will be remembered by relatives, friends, parishioners and convicts. Born April 14, 1921, one of 11 children of Michael and Mary Connor, of the former Holy Rosary Parish he graduated from St. Charles Preparatory School in 1939, St. Charles College in 1943, and Mt. Saint Mary Seminary, Cincinnati, in 1946. He was ordained to the Priesthood on October 26, 1946 by Bishop Michael J. Ready, and celebrated his first Mass at Holy Rosary, using a chalice given to him by his 10 brothers and sisters and assisted by Father Frank Connor, his brother, who was ordained seven years earlier. Father Bill Connor is preceded in death by his parents, Michael and Mary Connor and 10 siblings: Arthur Connor, Richard Connor, Paul Connor, Helen Wilhelm, Margaret Inskeep, Rev. Francis Connor, Lucille Lorz, Robert Connor, Mary Ann Weisenberger, and Delores (Honey) McConnell, and 8 nieces and nephews. He is survived by 26 nieces and nephews, their spouses and children, many friends, and a lot of street kids and former convicts whose lives he touched. His smiling eyes and Irish wit will warm their memories. "Father Frank and Father Bill married us, baptized our children, and buried our parents and siblings," one nephew said. "We were blessed to have two priests in our family." He served as assistant pastor at Blessed Sacrament Church, Newark (1946-50), and Immaculate Conception Church, Columbus (1950-54). During these assignments, he also taught at St. Francis de Sales High School (1948-50), and St. Joseph Academy (1950-54). He was pastor of St. Joseph, Sugar Grove and chaplain at the Boys Industrial School (1954-60), his first experience with incarcerated youth. He was chaplain to the Ohio Youth Commission (1961-64), again working with convicted young felons. He was pastor of St. John the Evangelist Church, Columbus (1965-69), when the school closed due to enrollment decline, a task he did not enjoy. He began the effort to convert the school to its present use as St. John Learning Center, which houses a food pantry, soup kitchen, classrooms and meeting space. He was pastor of St. Christopher Church, Columbus (1969-72); administrator of St. Mary Church, Portsmouth (1972), and chaplain at Lucasville State Penitentiary (1972-81). During this time he completed a master's degree in Corrections Ministry at Xavier University, trying to become a better chaplain. In a 1976 letter to the Catholic Times, an inmate wrote: "Presently I am confined to Death Row here at Lucasville. I came to know Father Connor when he would stop by my cell with a kind word and a hello. He was one of the most compassionate and friendly persons I have ever met. There are very few people who would take the time to actually care as he does. He deserves a big thank you from everyone." He retired in 1981 and moved to Sun City, AZ, where he lived with Father Frank Connor. Father Bill learned Spanish, and volunteered to celebrate Mass in Spanish at several parishes. When Father Frank died in 2001, Father Bill established the "Father Francis Connor and Father William Connor Endowment" at the Columbus Catholic Foundation, to provide tuition assistance for needy students. He moved back to Columbus in 2005 following the deaths of his siblings, bringing with him only family photo albums, and the chalice. "We always thought any money we had should be left to help street kids," Father Bill often said. He continued to make donations to programs that taught or fed youth in needy neighborhoods. His family is grateful to all staff at Mohun Health Center, especially nurses Amy Stallard and Tefera Haile. The loving care they give to our retired nuns and priests is simply beautiful. Calling hours will be Monday, December 13, 2010 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at GRAUMLICH FUNERAL HOME, 1351 S. HIGH STREET, COLUMBUS. Father Connor's body will be received at St. John the Evangelist-Holy Rosary Church, 648 S. Ohio Avenue, on Tuesday, December 14 at 10 a.m., where friends may call until the Funeral Mass, which will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Bishop Frederick F. Campbell will be the principal celebrant; Monsignor Kenneth F. Grimes will serve as homilist. Interment at St. Joseph Cemetery, Lockbourne, will take place following a bereavement meal at the St. John Learning Center. Those who wish may contribute to the Father Francis Connor and Father William Connor Endowment at the Columbus Catholic Foundation, 257 East Broad Street, Columbus OH 43215-3703. To sign and view online guest book please visit www.graumlichfuneralhome.com.