Gerald Connors

Jerry was born May 14, 1935 in Ishpeming to Desmond and Dorothy (Larsh) Connors. He met and married Sharon Mackey and together they raised their family in Gwinn.

At age 16, Jerry began his iron mining career at the Mather A and Mather B Mines. While laid off, he worked for the Straights Construction Company and also on the Eagle Mills Housing Project at KI Sawyer Air Force Base. Jerry eventually retired from Cleveland Cliffs Iron Company in 1996 as a shovel operator from the Empire Mine with 42 years of service. He also owned and operated Porky’s Party Store for seven years while working for CCI.

Jerry was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, Gwinn and was a longtime volunteer firefighter for Forsyth Township Fire Department. He was a generous man who loved his family and enjoyed helping people in his community. He was an avid Detroit Lions and Tigers fan and treasured family time spent at camp on Big Shag Lake.

Surviving are his daughter, Kathy (Donald) Keskimaki of Gwinn; two sons, Francis (Karen) Connors of Ishpeming and Gerald Allen (Karla) Connors of Rhinelander; 13 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren; his brother, Gary (Mary) Connors of Gwinn; six sisters: Carol Marjonen, Janice Boogren, Marilynn Kotel, Dawn (Burt) Senne, Darlene (Norm) Meden, and Jill Leferink; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Sharon (Mackey) Connors in 2000; his daughter, Darcy D’Ambrosio; and his brother, Wayne (Joann) Connors.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, April 8th at Grace Lutheran Church in Gwinn with Rev. Jack Busche officiating. Burial will be in the Gwinn Cemetery. The family will greet relatives and friends from 9:30 am until the time of services at 11:00 am at the church on Monday, and also at a luncheon in the church hall following services.

Jerry’s memorial page may be viewed at koskeyfuneralhome.com

xxxx