Former Scranton Mayor Jimmy Connors has died
EYEWITNESS NEWS (WBRE/WYOU) — We have some sad news, Jimmy Connors, the long-time mayor who helped lead the revitalization of downtown Scranton has died, Connors was 77.
Many people in the city of Scranton are mourning the loss of a man who dedicated his life to public service. Former Mayor James Connors, who led the city from 1990 to 2002.
Jimmy Connors, a name the people of Scranton will never forget.
Connors began his career in public service in the ’70s working in schools and local organizations..
He served as Scranton mayor for 12 years starting in 1990 and continued his public service as the Deputy Director of Governor Ed Rendell’s NEPA office until his retirement in 2009.
Though Connors was retired, he continued to be involved in the community as much as possible touching many lives.
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In a statement, current Scranton Mayor Cognetti says quote:
It’s a very sad day in Scranton as we recognize the passing of the beloved Mayor Connors,” Mayor Paige G. Cognetti said. “Mayor Connors cherished Scranton and cared passionately about the wellbeing of our residents. Jimmy never stopped being mayor – he continued to be a warm, jovial, comforting presence at public events and was a source of wisdom for me personally. He’ll live on in Scranton as ‘the Mayor’ and we will deeply miss him. Our hearts are with his wife, Susie, his children, and his entire family.
Congressman Matt Cartwright shared his sorrow over the loss of Connors, stating:
Marion and I mourn the loss of our longtime friend and a trusted mentor. While we grieve his passing, we also send our sincerest condolences to his beloved wife, Susie, his entire family, and his many, many friends. The love and support he showered upon the city was surpassed only by the unwavering affection bestowed upon him by his fellow citizens. The lights in the Electric City just got a little bit dimmer with the passing of Scranton Mayor James Connors. He will be forever missed but never forgotten.
Jimmy Connors was more than a mayor, he was a husband, father, and dear friend loved by many
“They will be talking about Jimmy Connors for years to come because he was so popular in this area, everybody loved Jimmy Connors, democrat, republican, it didn’t matter in politics, they just loved the man,” said Judge Tom Munley from Lackawanna County.
Doug Smith, another close friend of the former mayor reflects on the kind of person Connors was and the impact he had on those around him.
“He was very genuine, he was never phony, Jimmy was Jimmy, he really knew how to be a friend, you know he absolutely did not take that lightly, you know if you were his friend you were his friend for life and he would do anything for you that he could, and he was just such a role model really as being a person,” says Doug Smith from Dunmore.
Smith shared his thoughts on how Connors would like to be remembered emphasizing his dedication to helping others
“I think Jimmy would want to be remembered by all the good things he did to help people because he really always wanted to help people, whether it was someone just having a problem on the street all the way up to someone who’s trying to complete a huge mall project,” stated Smith.
Jimmy Connors will be missed deeply throughout the community.
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