Remembering Don Connors
"Fisherman of the Year" 1/30/2001
Donald A. Connors was born January 28, 1930 in Cleveland Ohio, and he died February 12 of this year. He was a Catholic. Don served in the United States Navy from 1951 to 1955 during the Korean Conflict. He also served 4 years in the Reserves.
On November 12, 1955, Don married Nancy. They had a lovely wedding and honeymooned in Niagara Falls. Prior to their marriage, they had purchased a home and were anxious to move in; so they cut their honeymoon short and came back home to spend their first night as Mr. and Mrs. Connors in their new home. As you can imagine, in Ohio it was pretty chilly in November. Well, Don and Nancy forgot to have the heat turned on; so they spent that first night snuggled together on a small heating pad Nancy had received as a shower gift. That was the start of many warm nights together, and ten years and four sons later, they moved to a lovely ranch home where they lived until retirement in 1995.
Don retired from W. H. Wiefaber Company where he worked as a Salesman. He sold wholesale goods to hardware and lumber stores. His customers always appreciated his honesty and good nature. Nancy also retired in 1995 from food services for the school district. They came to Florida planning to go to Bradenton, and were invited to stop by Griffwood to see a friend. They did, and the rest is history. For several years, they lived six months here in Griffwood in No. 361 and six months in Ohio. Eventually they decided to sell their home in Ohio – it sold in two days - and move to Griffwood permanently.
In addition to a love of fishing, camping and sports, Don and Nancy loved to take cruises, and they took 15 altogether.
Don and Nancy were married for 58 years, 3 months. He is also survived by his four sons: Dan and wife Michelle, Greg and wife Connie, Tim and wife Chris, and Dale and wife Kelly. There are 12 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.
Don was so proud of his sons, and he loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His desire was to help anyone in need. He wasn’t a stranger to anyone, and his smile lit up a room. Now that smile reaches from Heaven to Earth!
(Read by Don's granddaughter Emily at the Memorial Service)
Paul speaks in First Corinthians about love. He says “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.” And then at Verse 4, Paul begins a description of what love is. I believe that in these verses we can very easily substitute the name “Grandpa” for the word “love,” because these verses describe Grandpa perfectly. The verses read like this: Grandpa is patient, he is kind. He does not envy, he does not boast, he is not proud. He is not rude, he is not self-seeking, he is not easily angered, he keeps no record of wrongs. Grandpa does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. Grandpa always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Paul goes on to say “Now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.” I believe love is Grandpa’s legacy. He loved his wife, his family, his Lord, his neighbors, his friends, his work, and his fishing pole. Rest in peace Grandpa Don Connors. You will be truly missed.
