William (Bill) F. Connors, long-time resident of Girard, passed away suddenly at home on Friday, June 23 at the grand age of 91, fiercely independent to the very end.
  He was born March 25, 1926 the son of the late Francis and Firmin Connors of Albion. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 62 years, Helen C. Connors (Fetsuga) on November 5, 2011, also by his sister, Mary Jane, brothers Herb, Robert, Charles (Vic) and Harold (Shickle). He is no doubt now playing a lively hand of pinochle with them all while mercilessly kidding each other! 
  He is survived by his sister Martha of Clymer, NY. Also by his four children: Janice Suscheck (husband Dennis), Roger Connors (wife Jane), Barbara Munro (husband Mark) all of Girard, Patrick Connors (wife Elaine) of Apalachin, NY; his grandchildren: David Suscheck, Mark Suscheck, Daniel Suscheck, Michael Suscheck, Katherine Munro, Laura Wass (Connors), Brian Connors, Tim Connors, Erin Raskin (Connors) and Colleen Connors; by 10 great grandchildren: Kevin, Luke, Brett, Carson, Danielle, Austin, Olivia, Meara, Adalynn and William Connors (yes, Bill lives on!). 
  Bill was an excellent three sport athlete in high school at Albion High School and proudly enlisted in the US Navy upon his high school graduation in 1943 (at the age of 17) and served in various positions in the Pacific theater during World War II and on the USS St Paul (where he was an anti-aircraft gun captain) from which he witnessed the Japanese surrender in Tokyo Bay. The St. Paul also fired the last naval salvo against the home islands of Japan during World War II. He returned to Albion after the war and worked for a while at GE in Erie (but he had to quit there because they would not let him take Saturdays off to play American Legion baseball). He married Helen Fetsuga in 1949 and was her devoted husband and companion until her death in 2011. His love for her was prominently displayed as he patiently cared for and fretted over her as her health declined in her later years. He began working for local home builders and started Peters and Connors Builders with his cousin, Art Peters, in the mid 1950s, he retired in 1986. They became prominent home builders constructing over 300 quality homes throughout Erie County. He was a life-long fan of the Cleveland Browns, Indians and Cavaliers which has been passed down to his children and his grandson Tim and granddaughter Katie. 
  He enjoyed golfing, hunting (as a younger man), horse races, morning coffee with his friends, and talking politics or world affairs with whoever would listen. He was a proud Democrat (as everyone knew) which he also passed down to his children.  He was a long time member of St John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church in Girard. Most of all he was a devoted family man as a son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, father-in-law and uncle. To him family always came first. He was the family rock and we always could count on him in any situation. His grandchildren will always remember the outlandish tales he would tell them about himself and his adventures like swimming across Lake Erie (underwater) and inventing the Olympics (and winning ALL the gold medals which he melted down and buried in the backyard). “Handsome Bill” as he was jokingly referred to by his grandchildren was the epitome of “America’s greatest generation”. 
  Friends may call on Monday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at Edder Funeral Home Inc. 309 Main St. East, Girard. A prayer service will be held there on Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. followed by the funeral mass at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 101 Olin Ave. Girard at 10 a.m. with Father William Miller officiating.
   Burial with full military honors will be held in St. John Cemetery. 
  Memorials may be made to St. John’s Parish Center Building Fund, 101 Olin Ave. Girard. 
  To send condolences visit edderfuneralhome.com.

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