John Patrick Connor

The Reverend Monsignor John Patrick Connor died peacefully at home on June 13, 2023. Born on June 2, 1935 in Nashville, Monsignor Connor was the son of the late Eugene Francis and Augusta Josephine (Lomasney) Connor.

Monsignor Connor attended Holy Name Grade School and was a proud member and salutatorian of the Father Ryan High School class of 1953. He then attended St. Ambrose College in Davenport, IA, St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore, MD and Memphis State University. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 27, 1961 at the Cathedral of the Incarnation by Bishop William Adrian. He served as Associate Pastor or Pastor of multiple parishes in Memphis and Nashville as well as Greenville, Dayton and Columbia. He was a professor at Catholic High School for Boys and a professor and Assistant Principal at Bishop Byrne High School in Memphis. He served as the Principal of Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga and Father Ryan High School in Nashville. Diocesan Leadership positions over the years included: Vice-Chancellor of the Diocese of Nashville, serving on the Presbyteral Council and College of Consultors, Episcopal Vicar of the Nashville Deanery, Bishop’s Delegate for Education, Vicar General (Moderator of the Curia), Vicar of Education, Administrator for the Relocation of Father Ryan High School, Permanent Chaplain for the Knights of Columbus #7447 and Chancellor of the Diocese of Nashville. He retired from full-time ministry in 2005 but continued to assist his brother priests in parishes for many years. At the Chrism Mass in April of 2019 Bishop Mark Spalding announced that Father Pat Connor had been bestowed the title of “Monsignor” by Pope Francis.

Monsignor Connor is survived by his sister -Mary Jane Connor and his brothers-Frank (Nancy) Connor, Rick (Brenda) Connor, Tom (Judy) Connor, Hank (Terry) Connor; his 13 nieces and nephews- Michael (Jill) Connor, Kathy (Gary) Fottrell, David Connor, Jeannine (Bill) Moore, Joe (Kerry) Connor, Carol (Chris) Dunn, Kevin (Rachel) Connor, Debbie (Tom) Sloan, Suzie (Jonathan) Cole, Tom (Julie) Connor, Kim (Bob) Szemethy, Pat (Christin) Connor, Dan (Sharon) Connor; 31 great-nieces and great-nephews and 3 great-great-nephews.

Visitation will be at St. Henry Church 6401 Harding Rd. Nashville, TN 37205 from 2-5 p.m. on Sunday, June 18, 2023 and from 9:30-10:30 a.m. on Monday June 19, 2023.

Funeral mass will be at 11 a.m. Monday, June 19, 2023 at St. Henry Church with Bishop J. Mark Spalding officiating. Funeral may be viewed on line at the following link. https://vimeo.com/event/274893

Burial will follow at the Priests Circle in Calvary Cemetery. Pallbearers will be his nephews and nephews-in-law.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the “Msgr. Pat Connor ’53 Scholarship” at Father Ryan High School, 700 Norwood Dr, Nashville, TN 37204 https://www.fatherryan.org/give/named-scholarships

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.marshalldonnellycombs.com for the Connor family.