Joseph R. Connor, 78, of Millen Drive in North Syracuse, passed away at Crouse Irving Memorial Hospital on June 6.
A loving husband of 56 years, he is survived by his wife, Ronnie; sons, Carl, of North Syracuse, and Brian, of Syracuse; his daughter, Donna (Paul) Meskell, of Rochester, and their daughter, Brigette; his daughter, Christine (Martin) Woodford, of Syracuse, and their children Justin (Sarah) Woodford and Amanda Woodford; his two brothers, Frank Connor, of Herkimer, and William Connor of Granite Falls, NC; four sisters, Mary Szczebak, of Stratford, Rosemary Schuyler, of Dolgeville, Margaret Collado, of Miami, Fla., and Theresa Fazio, of Utica; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Joe grew up on a farm near the village of Dolgeville, and in 1947 enlisted in the Army. He received his honorable discharge in 1954 as Staff sergeant but continued his service in the Reserves until 1985.
While stationed in Pittsburgh, he met his lovely wife, Ronnie, and they were married in 1951. They then became longtime residents of North Syracuse. Joe worked at General Electric until 1971 with responsibility for assembly production planning and methods. He then attended police school at Mohawk Valley Community College. Upon graduation, Joe started a career in police work. He worked as a policeman at Inlet, a guard at Jamesville Penitentiary, a patrolman at the Liverpool Police Department, a deputy sheriff and park ranger and bailiff for the court of Liverpool. While as a deputy sheriff, he worked security at the original Woodstock as well as several races at Watkins Glen. In 1980, he rejoined General Electric and subsequently retired in 1990. From 1990-1992, he worked at General Railway Signal in Rochester where he wrote computer programs for the cost estimated department. Joe also served as an EMT with General Electric and NAVAC; he was a member of the American Legion in North Syracuse, the G.E. Precision Rifle Team and taught small arms training in his police work.
Joe was very active in community affairs serving as a councilman for the town of Clay, police commissioner for the village of North Syracuse and a member of the North Syracuse Planning Board. He had many great friends at work and in the community, but always remained completely devoted to his wife and family. He lived a life in harmony with the people he loved and in turn, he earned their unconditional love. He will be sorely missed.
Friends may call Wednesday from 3-5 and 7-9 p.m. at Krueger Funeral Home, 2619 Brewerton Rd., Mattydale. Prayer will be on Thursday at 9:15 a.m. at the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Rose of Lima Church at 10 a.m. Burial with full military honors will be in North Syracuse Cemetery. Contributions may be made to American Diabetes Association, 356 N. Midler Ave., Syracuse, NY 13206. For more information, photos and to sign the guest book, please visit www.kruegerfuneralhome.com.