Bernard Thomas Connor1

M, #30968, b. Jul 5, 1921, d. May 8, 2012

Family

Mary Margaret Howrigan b. Feb 2, 1926, d. May 13, 2009

Chronological Events

Birth*Jul 5, 1921 Bernard Thomas Connor was born on Jul 5, 1921 at Fairfield, Franklin County, Vermont, United States.1,2 
Marriage*Jun 22, 1950 He married Mary Margaret Howrigan, daughter of William Edward Howrigan and Margaret Agnes McCarthy, on Jun 22, 1950 at Fairfield, Franklin County, Vermont, United States.1 
Death*May 8, 2012 Bernard Thomas Connor died on May 8, 2012, at age 90 at Saint Albans, Franklin County, Vermont, United States.3 
ObituaryMay 9, 2012  OBITUARY: Fairfield - Bernard T. Connor, 90, a lifelong resident of this community passed away peacefully Tuesday, May 8, 2012 in the Northwestern Medical Center with his loving family at his side.

He was born in Fairfield, Vermont July 5, 1921, the son of Francis "Frank" and Ruby (Sorrell) Connor.

On June 22, 1950 he married Mary Howrigan in St. Patrick's Church in Fairfield, VT. Bernard and Mary went on to raise their five children in Fairfield. Bernard's family was the focal point of his life.

Bernard attended Fairfield schools until the time he was needed on the family farm. Bernard had a lifelong passion for learning. He was an avid reader and a self-taught man. A favorite outing was a trip to Barnes and Noble where he enjoyed adding to his personal library which featured an extensive collection of books on the Civil War.

Bernard was a self-taught carpenter / master craftsman. He had a passion for woodworking. The fruits of his labor are spread throughout the area. Bernard leaves behind many buildings, kitchens, and pieces of furniture that his family and friends will enjoy for years to come.

Bernard had many hobbies that brought him much enjoyment throughout his life. He took great joy from beekeeping and believed deeply in the power of bee venom therapy. Following his grandchildren's sporting events was something that fulfilled him immensely. In particular, he took much pleasure from watching BFA softball. Planting a garden and watching it grow blessed by God's bounty provided Bernard with countless hours of satisfaction. Sugaring season was a favorite time of year for Bernard. He enjoyed all aspects of maple sugaring and took great enjoyment from boiling at the Connor family farm, "up on the hill" at William E. Howrigan's and at the Henry Magnan sugar bushes.

Bernard is survived by his five children; his son Daniel F. Connor of Fairfield, his daughters, Sheila C. Heald of St. Albans, Loretta C. Pigeon and her husband, Richard of St. Albans, Margaret C. Brosseau and her husband, Andre of St. Albans, and Maureen C. Morgan and her husband, Robert of Plymouth, MA, his grandchildren; Cole and Colin Connor, Elizabeth and Emily Pigeon, Matthew Brosseau, and Robert Connor Morgan. He also leaves a sister, Margaret Lareau and a brother, Donald Connor, brother-in-law, Dr. Thomas G. Howrigan, sisters-in-law, Virginia Howrigan, Anne Howrigan, Loretta and Henry Magnan, Kathleen Connor, and Teresa and John Manahan.

Bernard was predeceased in death by his wife, Mary Howrigan Connor in May of 2009, his parents, a brother, Edward in 1937, a daughter, Mary Connor in 1952, a granddaughter, Amanda Lee Brosseau in 1984, a grandson, Liam Robert Morgan in 1999, a son-in-law, Winslow R. Heald in September of 2011, brothers-in-law Eugene Lareau DVM, Sgt. Raymond Howrigan, Francis Howrigan, Fred Connor, Emmett O'Connell, Harold Howrigan, Robert Howrigan, sisters-in-law Reda Connor, Neva Howrigan, Rose O'Connell. He also leaves many special nieces and nephews and his very special friends and neighbors, Buster and Martita Giard and their niece, Shannon.

Visitation will be in the Heald Funeral Home, 87 South Main St., St. Albans, VT on Friday May 11, 2012, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday May 12th at 11 a.m. in St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Fairfield, VT. Interment will be in the Connor family lot in St. Patrick's Cemetery. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider Northwestern Medical Center's Palliative Care program, c/o Social Services, 133 Fairfield St., St. Albans, VT 05478 or Franklin County Rehab Center, 110 Fairfax Rd., St. Albans, VT 05478.

Assisting Bernard's family is the Heald Funeral Home of St. Albans. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family through www.healdfuneralhome.com.

Published in the Burlington Free Press, May 10, 2012.4 
 
 
Burial*May 11, 2012 He was buried on May 11, 2012 at Saint Patrick's Cemetery, Fairfield, Franklin County, Vermont, United States, Find A Grave Memorial# 89879604.5 

Citations

  1. [S2194] Vermont - Marriage Record, online at Ancestry.com.
  2. [S1094] Vermont - Birth Record, online at Ancestry.com.
  3. [S79] Gravestones - Find-A-Grave.com, online at findagrave.com.
  4. [S19] Obituary - Online, Newspaper or Funeral Home.
  5. [S58] Gravestones - Death Cert, Find-A-Grave, BillionGraves, #79.