Obituary of Robert P. Connors

Cohoes – Robert P. Connors, Sr. 83, of Johnston Avenue, Cohoes died at St. Mary’s Hospital, Troy on Monday, February 25, 2013 after a short illness. He was born in Troy, March 3, 1929 to his parents the late James and Mary MacGlashan Connors. We imagine Bob’s first words to God, in his unapologetic, perturbed manner, as he enters into eternity might be, “What took you so long? I’ve been waiting”. Tough as any Irishman and stubborn as a Welshman, red hair, a temper, and affection for a good time, he was true to his heritage. The most important things to him were family and friends. He loved Lois, his wife of 51 years, and his family. He enjoyed his coffee, car rides, camping, and most of all company. Hard work was not a stranger to him. At 16, he took a job at Eastern Tablet, working as a machinist for 29 years until the factory closed. His labor skills helped him secure a job at the Watervliet Arsenal where he worked 18 years until his retirement. His work didn’t stop there. A labor of love, he cared for his wife who suffered from the effects of blindness and a stroke. He almost never left her side (literally) caring for her 24/7 until her passing in 2007. He didn’t let a little thing like pancreatic cancer stop him from his duty to care for her. He loved the simple pleasures of life, camping, going out to get ice cream or a meal at Friendly’s. He had many lifelong friends in the deaf community and the Capital District Deaf Center and Silent Athletic Club (bowlers) where he was an active member. He was proud of his children and grandchildren and their accomplishment, and enjoyed nothing more than getting together on Thursday for Family Night pizza & wings. We will all miss his wisecracks. He is predeceased by his wife Lois Deyo Connors and brother, James (Helen) Connors. He is the father of Maureen (Michael) Frank of Glenmont, Kathleen Kennedy (Roberto Morales, fiancé) of Cohoes and Robert (Julie) Connors, Jr. of Valley Falls. Brother of Mary (Lester) Slade of Mechanicville and Shirley (Edward) Abbott of Clifton Park, five grandchildren, one great-granddaughter and multiple nieces and nephews. Funeral Thursday 6:30pm at the DUFRESNE FUNERAL HOME, Inc., 216 Columbia Street, Cohoes with Rev. Geoffrey Burke officiating. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday from 4 to 7pm. Those who wish to remember Robert in a special way may make a contribution to Helen Keller Foundation for Research and Education, 1201 11th Avenue South, Suite 300, Birmingham, Al 35205 or Foundation Fighting Blindness, 11435 Cronhill Drive, Owings Mills, MD 21117-2220.