WILLIAM J. CONNOR's Obituary
FATHER WILLIAM J. CONNOR, 75, of Center Valley, PA. and a native of L’Anse, MI., passed away Saturday, October 9, 2004 at Sacred Heart Villa in Center Valley, PA. Father Connor had been in ill health for several months. He was born in L’Anse, MI. on February 18, 1929 son of the late William D. and Esther (Dahlstrom) Connor. He graduated from L’Anse High School in 1947. Following his graduation, Father entered Sacred Heart Mission Seminary in Geneva, IL. His first assignment was as a teacher at the Seminary in Geneva, IL. from 1958-72. In 1966 he received a master’s degree in English from DePaul University in Chicago, IL. For an interval thereafter he served as principal and dean of studies at the Seminary. Since 1972 he had been stationed in Watertown N.Y. His ministry included teaching at Immaculate Heart High School for five years and parochial vicar for Our Lady of the Sacred Heart for two years. He was ordained to the priesthood on September 21, 1957 in Shelby, Ohio. Father had been employed by the state of New York since 1983 as the full time chaplain at the Watertown Correctional Facility and he retained this position as Chaplin for 20 years until illness forced his retirement in 2003. He found his position at Watertown Correctional Facility both challenging and inspiring and it provided him with a deep sense of satisfaction. His favorite past time was working in his garden and sharing his harvest with others.
Father Connor is survived by his brothers and sisters, Donald Connor, Dennis Connor, Carol Froberg and Darliene (Jack) Smith, and brother-in-law, Robert Kemppainen, all of L’Anse. Numerous nieces, nephews and cousins also survive. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Betty, Bernadette and Patricia and an infant brother, Robert.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 15, 2004 from Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Chacko officiating. Interment took place in the L’Anse Evergreen Cemetery. The family received friends on Thursday, October 14, 2004 from 6 until 8 p.m. at the Reid Funeral Service and Chapel, and 1 hour prior to the Mass at the church on Friday. A parish prayer service was held Thursday evening at 8 p.m. in the funeral chapel. The Reid Funeral Service and Chapel, L’Anse has been entrusted with funeral arrangements.
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