Remembering John Gregory Connor 'Greg'

1948-2020

Greg Connor, a career firefighter, proud father of three and loving husband to Sue Connor (nee Chilton) died peacefully in Orillia, Ontario, on April 14th. He was in his 72nd year. 

Greg and Sue made their home together in Washago, Ont., where they basked in the view of the Green River, barbecued with family and went swimming off their dock. When kids and grandkids came to visit, no matter the temperature, Greg was usually first to dive into the water.  Some of Greg’s favourite times with Sue were spent during the winter months at their residence in Bonita Springs, Florida. He loved travelling to warm climates and sported Tommy Bahama shirts with style.  

Born and raised in Scarborough by Russell and Edna, Greg was the younger brother of David. After joining the Toronto Fire Department, Greg spent more than 30 years as a first responder, rising to the rank of captain and working with teams across the city.

In his time away from work Greg was a real renaissance man.  He found time to explore, pursue and often master an astonishingly wide variety of interests over the course of his life. These included (but were not limited to): biking, painting, windsurfing, roller-blading, racquetball, woodworking, scuba-diving, kayaking and skiiing. 

Greg was self-taught in most of his favourite activities, and put many of them to use while spending time at the family cottage on Lake Shabomeka. He was a skilled handyman, amateur astronomer and mushroom forager.

Greg studied graphic design at Ryerson University, where he met and later married Patricia Lee (nee Alexander), and with whom he settled in Brampton, Ont. to raise their family together. 

Along with Sue, Greg will be dearly missed by his three daughters Jennifer Schick, Kathryn Connor and Danielle Connor, and forever live in their hearts. He will also be fondly remembered by his seven grandchildren: Saxon Connor, Nolan Schick, A.J. Schick, Emily Grace Schick, Woodlyn Connor, Loki Connor and Gabriel Connor; and a son-in-law, Shane Schick.

A celebration of life will be held by the family at a later date.  Memorial gifts can be made to the Alzheimers society of Canada.