John Francis Connors

Born in historic Margaret Hague Maternity Ward at the Jersey City Medical Center, John was raised mostly in Maywood, New Jersey. He attended Don Bosco Prep and later self-educated at the New Jersey Institute of Technology.

John worked his way up from an entry-level position in construction to surveyor, to management, and then to a seat at the Vice President's table. He rose to nearly the highest position within Hartz Mountain to become Senior Vice President. He was also a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Much like Ralph Kramden's membership in the Royal Order of Raccoons, John joined the local Elks Lodge and remained socially and physically active. Ultimately, he earned himself a successful finish of the NYC Marathon.

When John retired after over 35 years, he relocated down to Virginia, where he began enjoying new hobbies. Wasting none of his suddenly available time, John pursued new hobbies including cooking, world travel (32 cruises), white wine, dogs, and intensive research into the Civil War as he adopted Virginia and the South as his new home. In addition to being an active historian and Civil War researcher, he began taking classes on various subjects at The College of William and Mary, becoming a life-long learner. He discovered actual, undocumented burial sites and wrote an original, historical article for New Jersey Monthly magazine.

Here in Williamsburg, he was a member of St. Bede Catholic Church.

Always focused on family first, while married to his loving wife of 48 years, John raised and supported his three awesome children, directly encouraging their own successes.

John will be missed by his partner, Suzette Hutchins; sons, John and Brian (Cassia); daughter, Kathleen (Daniel); grandchildren, Emma and Abigail; and his sister, Kathleen.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, April 22 at 11:00 AM at Nelsen Funeral Home, where services will begin at noon. Interment will follow at Williamsburg Memorial Park.