EDWARD J. CONNORS

FEBRUARY 23, 1929 – MAY 17, 2018

Edward Joseph Connors died May 17, 2018 at the age of 89. His wife of 30 years, Carolyn C Roberts, was by his side.

He was born to Edward and Rose Connors in Sioux City, Iowa and raised on a farm in Jefferson, S.D. with his siblings, Howard, Rosemary, Lois and Margaret Ann. He worked on the farm, in stockyards and on railroads through high school years, before attending the University of South Dakota, where he was a three-sport athlete, and All-American.

He served as a U.S. Army Combat Officer in the Korean War, before returning home to pursue graduate studies.

A kind, gentle, loving and deeply spiritual Irish man, he was a leader in the field of healthcare for over 45 years, during which time he was also a teacher and mentor to multiple generations of new leaders in the field.

Ed's greatest joy, however, was family – his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and all of their families. For many years he followed his extended family, especially through semiannual family reunions, which frequently brought together more than a hundred people.

A Mass to honor Ed's life will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday May 26, 2018 at St. Ann's Parish in Tubac, AZ. with a luncheon reception to follow. Those who wish may contribute to Kino Border Initiative, P.O.BOX 159, Nogales, AZ 85628 or kinoborderinitiative.org, which provides humanitarian aid to deported migrants.