MECHANCVILLE - John H. Connors, 90, died peacefully in his home on Tuesday, February 27th while in the constant care of his loving and faithful family. Born as a twin on January 28, 1928 son of the late Joseph and Anna Hickey Connors, Jack was a 1946 graduate of Mechanicville High School.
He later attended Russell Sage Business School and received a degree in Business Administration. Jack joined the US Army, served actively during the Korean War from 1950 - 1952 and was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant.
Upon returning home from the service, he started the Connors Agency in April 1955 and ran the daily operations up until just a few years ago, although never willing to officially retire. Jack was a member of the Greater Capital Assn of REALTORS, Past President of the Saratoga County Board of REALTORS and REALTOR of the Year in 1975. His company provided insurance and realty opportunities for residents of the Capital Region. Proud of how hard he worked on a daily basis, Jack was most proud to be surrounded by his children, who helped him create such a successful business as a result of the work ethic he instilled in them.
Always a community minded man, Jack served as the Mayor of Mechanicville from 1961-68 during which he also served as the President of the NYS Conference of Mayors. He was also a founding member of the Mechanicville Junior Chamber of Commerce and longtime member of the Mechanicville-Stillwater Chamber of Commerce with The Connors Agency being the Chamber’s longest standing member to this day. He was also a member of the former Mechanicville D.E. LaDow Fire Co. #2.
A longtime member of the local political community, Jack was a former Chairman of the Saratoga County Democratic Committee and a candidate for the NYS Assembly in 1970.
Jack was a 4th Degree Member of the K of C and served at one time as its Grand Knight, was a former Exalted Ruler of the Mechanicville-Stillwater Elks, Lodge 1403, member of the American Legion Post 91, and lifelong and very active member of the All Saints on the Hudson(Assumption-St. Paul) Parish.
Jack gave all he could to make the community he so loved a better place and will be sorely missed by the multitudes of people who benefited from his generosity.
Although he unselfishly gave so much to his community, nobody benefited more from the leadership he provided than the Connors family itself. Children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins alike all looked up to Jack as a role model and for the support and strength he taught them through the honorable way he lived.
His family wishes to offer an outpouring of thanks to Dr.’s William Caramore, Thomas Smith and Jeanne Millett at Albany Medical Center along with their teams for the care, compassion and guidance showed to Jack through his battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis.
Jack was predeceased by the love of his life and wife of 51 years, Kathleen Hebert Connors in 2005 as well as a baby daughter Mary Ann and siblings Alice McMahon, Joan Guthinger, James Connors, William Connors, Alma Reilly and his twin brother Howard Connors.
Survivors include his loving children Greg(Marilyn) Connors of Malta, Kevin(Wendy) Connors of Mechanicville, Patricia(James Madison) and Thomas Connors of Mechanicville, Maureen(Patrick) Culligan of Round Lake and Shannon(Denis) Dufresne of Tuckahoe, N.Y. and his sister Ellen Brown of Saratoga Springs, sister in law Marge Connors. Also grandchildren: Matthew(Dayana), David(Kristen), Kevin(Maura), Eric(Allison), Dustin, Josh and Sam(Monica Zecca) Connors, Jack, Sean and Connor Dufresne; great-grandchildren Hadynne, Alexander, Penelope, Dominic, Max, Jane and Greta Connors along with many nieces, nephews and friends.
Calling Hours will be held on Sunday at All Saints on the Hudson South Church, 121 North Main Street, Mechanicville, NY 12118 from 2-6PM. A Mass of Christian Burial at the church will be celebrated on Monday at 9AM with military honors and burial to follow at the Saratoga National Cemetery.
In continuing on in his spirit, Jacks family has asked that memorial contributions be made to the Mechanicville Area Community Services Center, PO Box 30, Mechanicville or Pulmonary Research Fund at Albany Medical Center, 43 New Scotland Ave, MC 119, Albany, NY 12208 in honor of John H. Connors.