Leonard Connor Obituary
Connor- Leonard “Len” , It is with heavy hearts that the family of Leonard J. Connor announce his passing on May 6th in his 104th year surrounded by his loving family. Len will be joyfully reunited with his loving wife of 69 years Connie (2012). He was the youngest of 10 children all deceased. Dad will live in the hearts and be sadly missed by his children Patrick Connor (Kathie), Nanette Wild (Malcolm 2015), Margaret Hamilton (Bill), and Susan Jennings (Merle). He is also survived by Grandchildren Kenzie Cairns (Ralph), Krista Connor, Stephen Connor (Tara), Rob Connor (Lauren), Connie Rudwall (Chuck deceased), Dennis Hanley (Karen), Philip Hanley (Joella), Alison Hamilton (David), Sarah Eddy (Blake), Matt Hamilton (Ashley), Stacy Rusticus (Eric) and Megan Radigan (Kevin). Len was a proud great grandfather of 28 and great, great grandfather of 4. He was predeceased by great grandaughter Maggie Rudwall (2021).
Len was born in Cospicua Malta in 1919 and received his formal education there with a few years spent in England as a youth. He worked in the dockyards and graduated as a tool and die maker. He was picked by the British at the time to undergo top secret training for new gunsights for military use. Although he was never in the military, he was called upon during WWII to assist in many formats with the Allies. He was the first Recording Secretary for the Dockside Union created in 1943 in Malta. Others who were in that initial group became Prime Minister of Malta, President of the Union and Member of the United Nations for Malta.
Len eventually immigrated with his wife and two children in 1948 to Canada to seek a better life for his family. He was offered a job in Quebec for the Department of National Defense. He instead chose to come to St. Thomas and arrived at the Fingal airport. Within 2 days he joined Weatherhead Canada for two years and then to Clevite Limited in 1950 as a tool and die maker and set-up man. It did not take long before his career began to take flight as supervisor, general foreman, and plant manager before being promoted to General Manager. He retired in 1985.
He spent two years in Italy for Clevite resurrecting a failing operation with great success before returning to St. Thomas. His years in St. Thomas were filled with involvement in many programs beyond his work. He was instrumental in starting Junior Achievement, President of the local Canadian Cancer Branch, President of the Chamber of Commerce as well as serving on the boards of several institutions. He will always be remembered for his sense of humour and his ability to tell stories of war, soccer, people he met and places he's been. His memory was extraordinary for details. Len had a deep love for his family and religion and was a founding member of St. Annes Church. His other love was soccer. Len played as a teenager for the Maltese National Team and was proud to show pictures of some of his goals.
Len was referred to often as a real gentleman with a large sense of humour. He loved to read and was an active member of St. Annes and an Honorary member of the Golden K. He made several trips back to Malta and took his grandsons on a trip there to reconnect with his youth and do a little bragging.
The family would like to thank Paula Petit for the exceptional care she gave to Dad as well as a thank you to Steve Mandich who brought Dad his Communion weekly. Dad received first class care from the members of Care Partners including Laura, Jen and Kenzie as well as Closing the Gap members Crystal and Christina. Thank you also to Doug Penhale, Mike Golding and Peter Leack for taking Dad to his coffee and lunches. The family appreciates all of you.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Annes Church on Wednesday May 10th at 10:00 a.m. Interment to follow at the Holy Angels Cemetery. Visitation will be held at Williams Funeral Home 45 Elgin St., St. Thomas on Tuesday from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. Donations can be made to Eat To Learn, Heart and Stroke, and the Serenity House of Elgin.
