Obituary
Thomas Joseph “Tom” Connor, Jr., departed this life peacefully on July 25, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. Tom was diagnosed with the rare, genetic and incurable disease, CADASIL, in 2016. He faced his illness with courage and grace—staying strong until the end.
Tom was married to the love of his life, Sheila (née Downey), for 36 years. He was a loving and devoted Dad to their four beautiful children—Patrick, Catherine, Christine, and Alexander.
Tom had a wonderful, infectious smile and a wicked sense of humor. He loved spending time with his family and took every opportunity to do so.
Tom will be remembered as an accomplished drummer, singer, artist, entrepreneur, Disney enthusiast, music aficionado and movie buff. He was a lover of all things Halloween, and his Halloween lawn display was so celebrated that it attracted people from miles away year after year.
Tom cherished his extended relations and lifelong friends. He attended Roxbury Latin and Boston College. He had a successful 30-year career as an IT professional, first at The New England and then MetLife.
Memorial services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations for the advancement of CADASIL Research can be made in Tom’s memory to http://giving.mountsinai.org/Elahi or a check made payable to Mount Sinai Health System. “Dr. Fanny Elahi’s Research” should be on the memo line. Mailing Address: Mount Sinai Health System, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1049, New York, NY 10029.
Smugglers back in the day
Cat, Mary, Thomas, Tom & Sheila
1985
Tom and Doug ❤️
Tom&Sheila❤️
A bright shining light, you gave so much to your family and ours and will always be present in our hearts.
Until we meet again and with love,
Sean, Lisa, Polina and Katherine xo
A bright, shining light in our lives, you gave so much to your family and ours and will always be present in our hearts.
Until we meet again and with all of our love,
Sean, Lisa, Polina and Katherine
Tom, Papa, Catherine, Tommy, Tara and Patty. Smugglah's Beach late '80s
Tom and his kit. Late '70s
The boys
Tom at Smugglah's Beach, Yarmouthport 2016
In January of 2018, we had the good fortune to meet Tom's half sister Lorrie and her wonderful husband Bob. There could be no doubt that Lorri and Tom were sister and brother. They were both so similar in temperament. Loving, generous, fun and funny. What a gift for the Connor family.
Sheila,Tom and Dad/Papa
May you continue to be enveloped in peace and love.
Tom I am so grateful that we became friends
Don't go far, I will catch up
after a period peace blooms,
slowly and always irregularly.
Spaces fill with a kind of soothing electric vibration.
Our senses, restored, never to be the same,
whisper to us.
They existed. They existed.
We can be. Be and be better.
For they existed." ~ Maya Angelou
Eternal love for my beautiful husband, Tom.
Thank you for the amazing life you gave us.
Tom 2010
Tom and Sheila 2019
Tom, Patrick, Catherine, Christine, and Alex at Magic kingdom 2020
Tom, Sheila, Patrick, Catherine, Christine, and Alex 2019
Tom, Kevin, and Laura 2022
Tom, Patrick, Catherine, Christine, and Alex 2020
Tom, Sheila, Patrick, Catherine, Christine, and Alex 2007
Tom 2022
Tom, Catherine, Christine, and Alex at WDW 2020
Tom 2021
Tom, Patrick, and Alex at WDW 2018
Tom's 60th Birthday at WDW 2020
Tom, Sheila, Patrick, Catherine, Christine, and Alex at WDW Tom's 60th 2020
Tom and Christine 2020
Tom, John, Patrick, Catherine, Christine, Alex, and Brendan 2019
Tom, Patrick, and Alex 2018
Tom, Christine, and Alex 2019
Tom, Patrick, Catherine, Christine, and Alex 2019
Tom, Patrick, Catherine, and Alex at WDW 2018
Tom and Alex 2018
Tom and Christine 2018
Tom, Patrick, and Catherine at WDW 2019
Tom, Patrick, Catherine, Christine, Alex and Brendan at WDW 2019
Tom, Patrick, Catherine, Christine, and Alex 2018
Tom, Sheila, and Alex 2018
Tom and Sheila 2018
Tom, Patrick, Catherine, Christine, Alex, and Brendan at WDW 2020