Mary Connor

truth

Jul 17, 2015 at 6:06pm

Mary Connor, the toughest Irish Woman in South Orange and tireless volunteer for the SORS has passed.

She was one of a kind-the best kind.

South Orange has suffered a huge loss today. For those of you who didn't know Mary-- and I can tell you that is a small group-- she simply WAS the South Orange Rescue Squad for decades. She joined SORS in 1969 and spent more than 40 years as a member, many of them as president. She had stayed active on the Rescue Squad until we pretty much had to pry her out of the ambulances, but even in her retirement she was heavily involved and cared deeply about us and what we do. Mary she was like a mother or grandmother to many of us, and I still remember what she said the first day I met her more than 25 years ago when I joined as a high school student. "Welcome aboard, kid."

We will be dedicating our new headquarters building to Mary and her years of selfless service to the Rescue Squad and the community, and we will place a plaque outside honoring her.

She is not the first in her family to deserve or receive such an honor. Many of you might know that the official name of the South Orange Community Pool is actually the Peter S. Connor Memorial Swimming Pool. Mary's brother Peter was a Staff Sergeant in Vietnam when the timing pin on a grenade malfunctioned. SSgt. Connor instantly realized that throwing the grenade would injure or kill his fellow soldiers, so he instead held it close to his body and dove on top of it-- sacrificing his own life to save those of his comrades. He was awarded the Medal Of Honor after his death.

Mary also put other's lives before her own, and there would be no way to calculate the number of lives she saved during her decades of service on the Rescue Squad.

As the news spread today through our tight-knit community, my in-box was flooded. Some of the comments I've gotten from current and past SORS members:

"South Orange has lost an amazing treasure."

"Mary gave her heart and soul to the squad and South Orange. She bled green and white (our old squad colors for those that didn't know). Such a truly dedicated person. She will be missed. May she rest in peace and have her brother welcome her with open arms."

"Mary was a wonderful person and dedicated her life to serving the community."

"Mary was the core and gave so many young people a sense of purpose and direction not to mention the countless lives she helped on the Squad".

We miss you already, Mary.

author

Jul 18, 2015 at 1:02am

She sounds like a classy lady with some classy friends. The time you had together was more than a service, it was a blessing. What a great combination of people.