Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 06/8/07

REV. ROBERT A. CONNORS, of AVON, died Thursday, June 7, after a courageous battle with multiple cancers. Father Connors was born Dec. 30, 1928, in Newark and spent his early years in Nutley and South Orange. He graduated from Seton Hall Prep in 1946 and from Seton Hall College in 1950. He attended the Maryknoll Seminary in Clarks Summit, Pa. and Immaculate Conception Seminary in Darlington. He was ordained a Roman Catholic priest in Newark's Sacred Heart Cathedral by Archbishop Thomas Boland on June 4, 1955. Father Connors was first assigned to Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Verona. Subsequent assignments included St. Anne's in Jersey City and Immaculate Heart of Mary in Scotch Plains. In addition, he pursued graduate studies in liturgy and parish management. In 1978, Archbishop Peter Gerety appointed Father Connors pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Oakland, where he served until his retirement as Pastor Emeritus in 1998. During his years as pastor, he was noted for his excellent homilies and for bringing a warm communal atmosphere to the celebration of Mass and the sacraments. He was a special favorite of the parish children and youth. The community room in Our Lady of Perpetual Help is named in his honor. A summer visitor to the Jersey Shore since his boyhood days, Father Connors spent his later years at his home in Avon. He continued his priestly ministry through service in such Monmouth County parishes at St. Mark's in Sea Girt, Holy Innocents in Neptune, St. Rose in Belmar, St. Elizabeth's in Avon, and Ascension in Bradley Beach, where he served as temporary administrator and celebrated his 50th anniversary in 2005. A longtime lover of classical music, Father Connors frequently attended operas at the Metropolitan and other venues. Tosca and Turandot were among his favorites. He was well-known for his tales, his sense of humor and his love of family and friends.

Father Connors was predeceased by his parents, Jean Michie Connors and Richard J. Connors Jr.; his brother-in-law, John Linehan; his niece, Marianne Birle; and his special nephew, Robert L. Connors. From his parents, he drew his special devotion to the Little Flower of Jesus, St. Teresa of Liseaux. He is survived by his sister, Eileen C. Linehan; his brother and sister-in-law, Richard J. III and Jane C. Connors; and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, cousins, and a legion of friends.

Visitation will be from 4 p.m. Sunday until the Vigil Mass at 7 p.m. at The Church of the Ascension, Brinley Avenue, Bradley Beach. Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Monday at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Purdue Avenue, Oakland. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Oakland, by the Most Rev. Peter Gerety, Archbishop Emeritus. Interment will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover. In lieu of flowers, donations to Catholic Relief Services, P.O. Box 806, Neptune, NJ 07753, would be appreciated. Reilly Funeral Home, Belmar, is in charge of arrangements.