By the Family

Feb. 10, 2016:  James P. Connors, Jr., longtime resident of Bronxville and a former judge in Eastchester, passed away at the age of 86. He had been suffering from Alzheimer's disease. 

Jim was born on May 31, 1929, to James P. Connors, Sr., and Kathryn Ryan Connors in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. Jim grew up in Yonkers and Eastchester, attending Iona Grammar and High Schools and earning a degree in economics from Fordham University in the Bronx in 1950, where he was the school's squash champion his senior year.

He earned his JD from St. John's Law School in Queens in 1953 and later that year was drafted into the Army's JAG office, stationed in Hokkaido, Japan. Private Connors went 3-0 defending fellow soldiers accused of various charges, earning several letters of commendation for his service and a promotion to the rank of sergeant. 

After his military service, Jim launched a nearly 60-year career in private law practice, most of it as a partner with Smith, Ranscht, Pollock, Manos & Connors in White Plains. He most recently was of counsel to the law firm of Bertine, Hufnagel, Headley, Zeltner, Drummond & Dohn in Eastchester.

Jim was active in local Republican politics throughout his career, serving as president of the Young Republicans of Westchester County. He also served as the town justice of Eastchester from 1983 to 2011 and was legal counsel to and board member of the Tuckahoe Savings & Loan and its successor companies. 

Jim is survived by his devoted wife of 57 years, the former Margaret Gallagher of Larchmont, and his sons, James Patrick, III (Angela--d. 2015), of Mount Vernon, Michael (Kendall) of Piedmont, CA, Mark (Kelly) of Bronxville, and Paul (Leeanna) of Croton-on-Hudson, and nine grandchildren. Jim was reunited in God's graces with his daughter, Meg, who passed away from Hodgkin's disease in 1985 at the age of 25. He is also survived by his brother, John, of Wilton, CT, his close cousin, Mary Jo McLoughlin, of Garden City, LI, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jim recently shared with Peggy how thankful he felt for all the blessings he had enjoyed in his life. He loved his family and he loved his community. Jim worked hard to have a positive impact on both, succeeding wonderfully on both fronts. And no Memorial Day parade in Bronxville was complete without Jim marching in his straw bowler. 

A Mass of Resurrection was held at St. Joseph's Church in Bronxville on February 8, where Jim spent his life actively participating as an altar server, a Parish Council member, and, until last month, as a lector. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Jim's honor to the following: Inner-City Scholarship Fund, innercityscholarshipfund.org, or Doctors Without Borders, doctorswithoutborders.org.