CONNORS, Kenneth James

Kenneth James Connors, 89, passed away peacefully in the Dartmouth General Hospital on November 16, 2023, with his children by his side. Ken lived a full and active life and touched the lives of many people along the way.

Ken was born October 10, 1934 to Charles Joseph and Zita May (Hayes). He grew up in Herring Cove, and then Halifax, in a large loving family that included seven boys and one girl.

Living on Harvard Street he attended Oxford School, and then St Pat’s Boys school. It was also in this neighbourhood where he met his future wife Carol Ann Ferguson who lived a few streets over. They were married in 1957 and moved to Dartmouth to raise their family.

Ken was a sales representative traveling the province for Westinghouse and later Camco for most of his working life. It was a career he enjoyed and one where he developed friendships that he maintained long after he ceased travelling.

Ken was very community minded. He became a lifelong member of the St Thomas More Parish in Dartmouth and was continually active in church activities including a thirty plus year involvement with the Catholic Council of Men and the Old Time Fiddling contest (now the Maritime Fiddle Festival). As well, he was a long-time volunteer with the St. Vincent de Paul Society and the Dartmouth Boys and Girls Club on Caledonia Road.

Sports were a constant throughout his life. As a young man he enjoyed participating in football and curling and, was a member of St Mary’s Boat Club where he paddled with his siblings. Hockey gained importance to Ken as a father, and he became active in the Westphal Port Wallace Minor Hockey Association coaching his sons’ teams for many years. Later in life he tried his hand at golf at the River Oaks Golf Club but found his true calling with tennis at St George’s Tennis Club. He was a season ticket holder for Halifax Mooseheads for many years. He loved watching the local university football games with his buddies and a flask for “warmth”.

Ken was an avid card player and especially enjoyed trouncing all contenders at a game of crib. He loved to entertain and relished all manner of family celebrations and activities. He valued being part of a group of life-long friends that continued to grow its circle over the many years.

Ken experienced the deep loss of his beloved wife and soul mate, Carol, to cancer in 1991. However, he was fortunate to find love again with Ann Keigan, whom he married in 1998. Ann passed away in 2021. He was also predeceased by brothers Patrick, Gerald, Charles, Paul, and Barry and by sister Carol.

He is survived by his devoted children, Mike (Susan), Ken, Peter (Kelly), Susan (Andrew), and David (Marie) and their families that include many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He will also be missed by brother Robert, many nieces and nephews, and Ann’s children, especially Sandra and Susan and their families.

We remain thankful to all who have supported and cared for him and in doing so have supported us as well. A special thank-you to George “Doc “Davis for going out of his way to help and to the entire team at Parkland at the Lakes.

Ken has left behind precious memories for those closest to him which will always be cherished.

Cremation has taken place. There will be no visitation. A funeral service will be held at Saint Thomas More Church (Christ the King Parish) 15 Caledonia Road Dartmouth, at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, November 22nd. Reception immediately following at Brightwood Golf & Country Club School Street Dartmouth. Internment at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a charity of your choice. Online condolences and memories can be shared at: www.dartmouthfuneralhome.ca