Joseph Connors

Joseph Michael (Mike or Mickey) Connors was born on July 20, 1939 in Denver, Colorado, at St. Joseph’s Hospital.  He was predeceased by his father Joseph Charles Connors of Pueblo, Colorado; his mother Eileen Erin McDermott Connors of Victor, Colorado; and his wife Mary Ann Hogan Connors.  He was named for his father, Joseph, and his paternal grandfather, Michael Connors.  He died on December 15, 2020 at home with his daughter at his bedside after a yearlong illness. He was given the Last Rites by Fr. Scott Bailey of the Church of the Risen Christ Parish with Mike’s children and family and dear family friends and next door neighbors Ruth and Marcia in attendance.

Mike and his sister were raised in the home that their father built in the Bonnie Brae neighborhood in Denver. As a child, he played outdoors nonstop winter or summer with his childhood friends and sister. In the summer, he would lay under a shade tree, eat a snack lunch that their mother Eileen would make, and watch the B 29’s fly over their house and land at Lowry Air Force Base.

He grew up in Denver where he attended St. Vincent de Paul Elementary School and played every sport possible. The baseball club was called the “Old Timers” and he also played for Gates Rubber Company. He then attended Mullen High School.  He also was a member of the Highlander Boys Band where he played tuba and sousaphone and performed in annual Colorado State Music competitions with his sister, Mary Kathleen Connors, as his accompanist on the piano.

He began his college experience at Regis University where his education was interrupted when he was called to active duty with the U.S. Navy during the Berlin Crisis. Mike served on the Aircraft Carrier USS Ticonderoga. Following his active duty, Mike joined the Air Force Reserves and was cleared for flight training.  Upon his discharge, he resumed his education at Regis University where he majored in business and was graduated in the Class of 1964.

Following graduation, he earned a Master’s Degree in education leadership from the University of Denver.  He began a distinguished career in education, first with the Colorado Department of Education as director of Adult Education, and then as a principal for forty years with Jefferson County Public Schools.

A pioneer in public education, he was principal for 25 years of Stoney Creek Elementary School, one of the first year-round public schools in Jefferson County and Colorado.  He also served as principal of Colorow Elementary School and Devinny Elementary.  Also, he was volunteer coach for 25 years of the Colorado Stampede, a community girls’ fast-pitch softball team that consistently produced girls high school players who earned college scholarships for their stellar play.

Based on his distinguished record as coach of the Colorado Stampede, he was named to the ASA Colorado Fast-Pitch Coach Hall of Fame.  In addition to his coaching responsibilities, he worked with parents and other community members to raise funds over 25 years for the Colorado Stampede to travel the country for their athletic competitions.  These competitions led the way for young women to compete in the U.S. Olympics when girls fast-pitch softball became a recognized Olympic sport.

He married the love of his life, Mary Ann Hogan Connors, and their marriage produced daughter Jennifer Kay Connors (Bradley Wilson) and Kevin Michael Connors (Jennifer Meyer Connors) and grandsons Hogan Connors (14) and Jamison (10).  Mike and Mary Ann were married for 57 years and dated 10 years prior.  She pre-deceased him on October 31, 2020, 45 days before his death.

His career in education brought him to The Third Way, a residential treatment facility in Denver, where he served as Compliance Officer for more than ten years.  He was called to that ministry by the Third Way Center Co- Founder - a parent whose daughter was a member- of the Colorado Stampede. Mike greatly enjoyed this position and his work with the students at the facility.

Mike also worked as a Golf Ranger at Wellshire Golf Club for many summers. He enjoyed the camaraderie of his fellow staff and friends.

He was beloved by many teachers, students, assistant principals, custodians, cafeteria workers, front office secretaries, school nurses and families and will be greatly missed. Mike set an example of love and integrity wherever he touched people. He loved the children. He made the moto for Stoney Creek Elementary School, “Making Your Child’s World Better.”  He believed the motto and he lived it every day.

He will be interred with his wife at Fort Logan National Military Cemetery after COVID-19 allows.  A memorial service will be held at Church of the Risen Christ in Denver, his family’s long-time parish home.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in honor of Joseph Michael Connors may be made to:

The Third Way Center- Post Office Box 61385, Denver, Colorado 80206 c/o Dave Eisner

or:

University of Saint Mary of the Lake Mundelein Seminary

1000 East Maple Avenue, Mundelein, IL. 60060-1174   c/o Holly Gibout

We appreciate your donations and ask that you please post a message on Mike’s “Tribute Wall”.

Thank you.