Marine Corps veteran
Published in the April 20, 2017 edition
NORTH READING — Hugh L. Connor Jr., 76, of North Reading, peacefully transitioned into eternal life on Monday, April 17, 2017, after battling cancer. He was born on November 28, 1940 in Boston, Massachusetts to Hubert and Rosalie (Patten) Connor and grew up in Newton, Massachusetts.
Hugh attended Newton High School and graduated in 1959. He served with the United States Marine Corps from 1959 to 1962. He was proud to serve in the Presidential Honor Guard unit at Marine Barracks in Washington, D.C., followed by serving with the 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Hugh worked for Liberty Mutual Insurance in sales and management roles for the majority of his career. He and his family lived in Manchester, Connecticut and Cape Elizabeth, Maine before settling in North Reading in 1974. He was an owner of Thayer, Delaney and Connor Insurance which operated out of North Reading in the mid-1980s.
Hugh had a passion for sports at all levels and was always generous with his time in supporting local athletics. He served as President of the Cape Elizabeth Maine Youth Baseball League and also volunteered as an umpire. He was past President of the North Reading Touchdown Club and was privileged to be one of the founding members of the North Reading High School Athletic Hall of Fame Committee, on which he served for six years. Hugh was active in the Alcoholics Anonymous community, starting his own recovery in 1987, and went on to sponsor scores of people seeking sobriety since that time. He was involved at the Aldersgate United Methodist Church for the past 25 years, becoming a member in 2008.
Hugh was known for his love for life, big laugh, encouraging advice, and conversation full of witty expressions known to many as “Hughphemisms” such as: “There are no flies on you, and if there are, they’re paying rent,” “He’s about as coordinated as a soup sandwich,” “He could talk the ears off a Brass Monkey,” “If you ask her what time it is, she’ll tell you how to build a watch,” and “The two of you are a pair that will beat a full house any day of the week!”
Hugh is survived by his son, Michael Connor and daughter-in-law Meredith, and grandsons Jason and Max of Laconia, N.H., New York, N.Y. and Boston, Mass.; his daughter, Ann Warden and grandsons Tyler and Matthew of Ashburn, Va.; his brother, David Connor of Cazenovia, N.Y.; his sister, Mary Schlittler of Needham, as well as countless other family members and friends. He was pre-deceased by his sister, Ann Connor.
To all his friends and family, Hugh wishes to express his sincere appreciation for their love and support over the years. To them, he says, “Semper Fi!”
His funeral will be held at the Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 235 Park St., North Reading on Saturday, April 29 at 11 a.m. Calling hours will be held at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow St., North Reading on Friday, April 28 from 4 to 7 p.m. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery, North Reading.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Hugh’s name to Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 235 Park St., North Reading, MA 01864. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit: www.croswellfuneralhome.com.
