Rev. Francis Edward Connors
Deceased: 2025-05-07
Diocese: BURLINGTON
ICTE Fall: 2003
The Rev. Francis Edward Connors died peacefully early Wednesday morning, May 7, 2025 at Elderwood of Burlington; he was 85 years old.
The Rev. Connors was a native of Brattleboro and was born on June 21, 1939, the son of William G. and Bernice M. (Smith) Connors. He received his early education in Brattleboro attending Saint Michael’s Parochial School and graduating from Brattleboro Union High School. He went on to attend the Bentley School of Accounting in Boston.
Fr. Connors enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1961 and the majority of his tour was in logistics for Operation Deep Freeze. The navy began taking yearly measurements of ice sheets in Antarctica during this time period.
Upon his honorable discharge from active service, he returned home and entered the Seminary, St. John Vianney in Barre from 1964-1967. Fr. Connors later attended Seminary in Boston from 1967 to 1971.
He was a theology graduate of Beda College in Rome, Italy and upon his return to the states was assigned to St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Springfield as a deacon prior to becoming ordained as a priest on June 2, 1973.
After ordination, Fr. Connors spent the next 51 years lovingly serving parishioners in Vermont with his first assignment at St. Augustine, Montpelier, 1973-1976.
Fr. Connors’ other parish assignments included: St. Mary’s, Springfield, 1976-1980; Holy Cross, Mallets Bay, 1980-1981; St. James, Island Pond, 1981-1986; St. Anthony, Bethel, 1986 – 1990; CPE Training at Holy Family Hospital, Methuen, MA, 1990-1991; served as chaplain at UVM Medical Center, 1991-1999; St. Jude, Hinesburg, 1999-2000; St. Luke, Fairfax and Ascension, Georgia, 2000-2006; St. Michael, Brattleboro, 2006-2008; St. James, Island Pond, 2008 – 2012; with his final assignment at St. Steven, Winooski, 2012- 2015.
Fr. Connors earned his senior priest status on July 1, 2015.
He is an honorary perpetual member of the Knights of Columbus receiving his 4th degree in Brattleboro, Leo Assembly #1154. Fr. Connors was also a member of the American Legion, Island Pond Post # 80.
Fr. Connors is survived by two nephews, Mathew Patrick and his wife Ann, of Agawam, MA and Timothy Patrick, of Springfield, MA; and his brother-in-law, William Patrick of Chicopee, MA. He was predeceased by his parents and two sisters, Judith Connors and a sister that died at childbirth.
Visitation will be at St. Michael’s Church, Walnut St., Brattleboro on Friday, May 16, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. followed by the funeral Mass concelebrated with Bishop John McDermott at 11:00 a.m. Committal Rites and burial with military honors will follow in St. Michael’s Parish Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution in Fr. Connor’s name to the Priest Benefit Fund, c/o Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington, 55 Joy Drive, So. Burlington, VT 05403.
To share a memory or offer condolences, please visit www.atamaniuk.com.
