Brian J. Connors

Brian J. Connors, of Lakewood, NJ (formerly of Bayonne), passed away on January 11, 2016. The youngest child of Francis & Theresa Connors, Brian was much beloved be his 9 older siblings. He served as a Bayonne Police Officer for over 30 years and retired as a Captain in 1995. Brian started as a "motorcycle cop" as part of the Patrol Bureau, and went on to serve the city of Bayonne in a variety of roles including: Traffic Bureau Commander, Central Records Bureau Commander, Commander of Internal Affairs, and Commander of Planning and Training. He was the Employee Assistance Officer from 1981 through his retirement and was one of the first D.A.R.E. officers in the department. He especially loved training rookie officers and working in the community. Brian's career as a police officer followed his time served in the U.S Army. He was stationed in Germany in the mid-1950's, where he learned to speak German and developed a taste for German food and culture. Brian was a prominent and beloved figure in the Bayonne and Lakewood communities. He had a huge presence, a quick wit, and amazing generosity. He was a friend and mentor to so many, and he will always be remembered for his big personality, his great humor, and his many acts of kindness and compassion. Brian was married to Patricia (nee Blihar) Connors for 50 years, and together they had four children and six grandchildren who were devoted to him and blessed by his kindness, humor, and generosity. He loved the outdoors, and went by the trail name "Butch Cassidy" on his many trips to the Appalachian Trail, where he was a well-known "trail angel." Brian made friends easily, and loved nothing more than to sit around the diner and talk politics and sports. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, imparting his sense of adventure and his sweet-tooth on all of them. He filled his home with music, and could whistle almost any tune. Brian loved animals, especially dogs, and always had a box of treats handy. Brian is survived by his children and their spouses - Patrick and Coleen Connors; Elizabeth Connors and Steven Garabed; Suzanne and Jose Franco; and Laurie Connors and Chris Maccarini and his six grandchildren - Tara and Mary Kate Connors, Cole and Aidan Garabed, and Maia and Marcus Franco. He is also survived by his two loving sisters: Maureen Prasch and Catherine Dugan. "Uncle Brian" was also beloved by too many nieces and nephews to name. A special thanks to the Connors cousins who supported him and the family over the past few months. Funeral Thursday 10 AM at the Caiola-Stellato Funeral Home, 691 Avenue C, Bayonne. Funeral Mass 11 AM Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church. Private cremation. Friends will be received Wednesday 5-9 PM. Brian was a very practical man and had no wish for flowers to mark his passing. He would much prefer the gift of your time, goods, or other donation to people or animals in need. Please give to your local foodbank or animal shelter or to the Foodbank of Monmouth and Ocean County, 3300 Route 66, Neptune, NJ, 07753 (www.foodbankmoc.org.)