Savannah- Col. John B. Connor, USAF, Ret., age 91, passed away Tuesday, December 14, 2010 at Marshview Inn.
Born November 4, 1919 in Philadelphia, PA , Colonel Connor attended St. Anthony School, West Catholic High School, Villanova College and University of Omaha.
In 1939 he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and completed basic training at Langley Field, VA where he eventually became Base Sergeant Major. He was commissioned a 2nd Lt. Bombardier in 1943 at Kirkland Field, NM and assigned to the 389th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force in England.
He became the Group Bombardier and on the 20th of June 1943 while flying on his 21st mission to Politz, Germany, his plane was severely damaged by flak and crash landed in Sweden where they were interned for five months.
He returned to the U.S. in 1944 and after various training schools and aircrew assignments he was assigned as a Staff Operations Officer 2nd Bomb Wing which was stationed here at Hunter Field from 1950 through 1963. In 1957 he was transferred to the 5th Air Division located at Sidi Slimane, Morocco. He returned to Hunter in 1959 and was assigned as Chief of Combat Operations, 308th Bomb Wing. In 1962 he was transferred to the 8th Air Force Headquarters as Chief of Manpower & Organization.
He retired in 1965 after 26 years of active duty with over 4000 hours of flying time in various bomber aircraft. After leaving the Air Force Col. Connor worked for Kaiser Agricultural Chemicals as Manager of Supply and Distribution from 1965 until 1985.
A devout Catholic, Col. Connor was honored by the Catholic Diocese of Savannah by nomination for the Gartland Award. While stationed at Hunter Air Force Base he worked with the Catholic Chaplain organizing the transfer of the Catholic Hunter students from Blessed Sacrament School to the new Catholic school at St. James. He was a member of the Long Range Planning Committee at St. James and worked closely with the clergy and membership on two major fund drives resulting in the dedication of the present St. James Church. In 1987 he accompanied Father John A. Kenneally to Columbia, SC to see Pope John Paul II.
Surviving are his son, Dr. Stephen B. Connor of Los Angeles, CA; daughter, Carol A. Connor of Hilton Head Island, SC; daughter-in-law, Marian B. Connor of Vero Beach, FL; brother-in-law, Edward Mulligan of Philadelphia, PA; three grandchildren, Carrie Ann Gielow of Vero Beach, FL, Brian Connor of Chicago, IL, Michael Connor of Korea, and one great-grandchild, Presley Gielow of Vero Beach, FL. He was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn Morris Connor and son, John B. Connor, III.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday, December 17, 2010 with a Vigil Service at 6:00 p.m. at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be said at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 18, 2010 at St. James Catholic Church.
Burial will follow in Catholic Cemetery.
Remembrances may be made to St. James Catholic Church, 8412 Whitfield Ave., Savannah, GA 31406.
Please sign our guest book on line at www.foxandweeks.com