Francis J Connor

Francis J. Connor, a resident of Edgehill, Stamford, CT, and formerly of Riverside, CT, lost his valiant battle with Parkinson's disease August 21, 2012. Born in Yonkers, N.Y., he was the son of the late Nicholas and Marie Connor. He grew up in Scarsdale, N.Y., and graduated from Maryknoll College, Ossining, N.Y., before serving in the U.S. Army Signal Corps. He began his business career as a salesman for M&T Chemicals in 1957, and was appointed President and CEO in 1972. He joined the American Can Company in 1962 by acquisition of M&T Chemicals by American Can, and was named Senior Vice President and Group Executive of the international division in 1974. In 1981, he was named President and COO of American Can. Following his retirement in 1987, he founded Nortay, a business consulting firm. He served as a director of The Southern New England Telecommunications Corporation, Advent International Venture Capital Funds in Hong Kong and Singapore, Sunstar Group Engineering and the Sunstar Holding Company in Holland. He was also Chairman and a director of the Connecticut Business & Industry Association, and the Southwestern Area Commerce & Industry Association of Connecticut. He was the recipient of numerous business awards and received an honorary doctorate from Sacred Heart University in 1981. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, A. Joan Connor, his children Mary Beth Newkumet (Chris), Frank T. Connor (Patti), Kathleen Del Col (John), Richard Connor (Holly), 14 grandchildren and his sister Elinor O'Brien. He was predeceased by his brother Nicholas Connor, Jr. Visitation will be held at Gallagher Funeral Home, 2900 Summer St., Stamford, CT, on Friday, August 24, from 4-7PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday August 25th at 11:00AM at St. Catherine of Siena Church, 4 Riverside Ave., Riverside, CT. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Shelter for the Homeless, 137 Henry St., Suite 205, Stamford, CT 06902.