William F. Connors, Jr., 77, of East Setauket passed away on July 21st. He was born March 31, 1945 in Brooklyn NY. Bill was the son of the late William and Ethel Connors. He spent the past 50 years married to the love of his life, Susan Connors (Edwards), and together they raised four children; Terence, Corinne Keane (Edward), Kristin Mangini (Ken) and their daughter Jessica Connors who predeceased Bill in December 2021. One of Bill’s favorite roles was proud Papa to four adoring grandsons; Conor Mangini (17), Gavin Mangini (14), Caden Mangini (11), and Braeden Keane (7). He enjoyed a life filled with a very large extended family that spent significant time together and is extremely close knit. His family and loved ones were fortunate to always know how loved and adored they were as Bill “wore his heart on his sleeve” and never passed up the opportunity to let the people he loved know how much he cared about them.
Bill received a B.A. degree in History from Saint Anselm College, an M.Ed. in Counseling Psychology from Springfield College, and an M.P.A. in Management from Long Island University. He retired from Suffolk County Community College in 2011 after holding a variety of faculty and senior administrative positions spanning 44 years. These included Associate Vice-President for Academic Affairs/College Dean of Faculty, Executive Dean/CEO of the Ammerman and Eastern Campuses, Associate Vice-President for Student Affairs, and Dean of Faculty at the Ammerman and Grant Campuses.
Always looking to contribute to his community, Bill has been involved in numerous service activities. He has served a Member/Vice President of the Board of Trustees of the Emma S. Clark Memorial Library between 1984-92. He has been on the Three Village Central School District Board of Education for a total of 21 years. He served on the board between 1994-2006 and served as Vice President between 1995-1996 and President between 1996-2006. After a 6-year hiatus he was reelected to the Board of Education in 2012 and served through 2021. He served as Vice-President 2013-2014 and President between 2014-2020.
Bill was also a member of the Saints Philip and James RC Church since 1973. Over the years he has been involved in numerous aspects of parish life and has served as a Eucharistic Minister, member of SSPJ School Board, and was a member of the pre-baptismal preparation program which he did along with his wife.
Arrangements were entrusted to the Bryant Funeral Home of East Setauket. Calling hours will be held Monday July 25, 2022 from 1pm-4pm and 7pm-9pm. A funeral mass will be held at Saints Philip and James RC Church, Saint James NY on Tuesday July 26, 2022 at 10:15am. The interment will be private. Visit www.bryantfh.com for more information and to sign the online guest book.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making a donation to The Jessica Connors Memorial Scholarship as Bill was immensely proud of this scholarship created in his youngest daughter’s memory. This annual scholarship is awarded to a graduating Ward Melville student who has a connection to or has made contributions to students with learning differences or special needs. It would mean the world to him to know that friends and loved ones continued to support this effort to memorialize her in his name. Donations to the scholarship can be made via this link https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-jessica-connors-memorial-scholarship or mailed to The Jessica Connors Memorial Scholarship c/o Corinne Keane P.O. Box 750, East Setauket NY 11733.