LEO J. CONNOR Sr.

LEO J. CONNOR SR. BRIDPORT - Leo Jerome Connor Sr. of Bridport died Nov. 6, 2010. Leo was born in Smithfield, R.I., son of John Connor and Katherine Grady. He graduated from LaSalle Academy in Providence, R.I. and from Providence College. Along with his lifetime devotion to farming, Leo was an elementary school teacher in his early years, and later co-founded the Connor Brothers Dairy, a milk bottling and delivery company in Smithfield, R.I. He also was a surveyor and technician for the USDA Soil Conservation Service. After moving his family to Vermont in 1962, he ran the family farm in Bridport. He also was a counselor for the Vermont Farm Family Project, and later was named as Vermont Deputy Commissioner of Agriculture. While running his farm business full-time, he also established an active real estate business that focused primarily on the sale and purchase of dairy farms throughout Vermont. Leo had a life-long interest in politics and ran for state senate from Addison County. He later ran for Lieutenant Governor as the Democratic nominee in 1972. He served as a member of the MUHS school board, and was a long-time director of Eastern Milk Producers co-op. Leo was a member of St. Bernadette Church in Bridport. He was predeceased by his wife Barbara; son, Joseph; and grandchildren, Erica and Benjamin. Leo is survived by his 12 children, Leo (Jerry) Connor and his wife Cheryl of Bridport, William Connor and his wife Linda of Bridport, Michael Connor and his wife Linda of Shoreham, Paul Connor and his wife Marion of Bridport, Christopher Connor of Bridport, Linda (Connor) Heitkamp and her husband David of Orwell, Mary (Connor) Pratt and her husband Stan of Middlebury, Barbara (Connor) Caldwell and her husband James of Chesterfield, Mo., Elizabeth Connor of Bridport, Peter Connor and his wife Tiama of Hartford, N.Y., Caroline (Connor) Martone and her husband John of Glen Cove, N.Y., and Jonathan Connor and his wife Maryann of Addison; and one sister, Mary Schlemmer, of Smithfield, R.I. He is also survived by 51 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Leo will forever be remembered for his devotion to his family, his dedication to and love of nature, and his wisdom in defining a simple life filled with the riches of family and God. Visiting hours will be on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2010 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the SandersonDucharme Funeral Home, 117 South Main Street, Middlebury. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2010 at 10 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Middlebury. The Rev. William Beaudin Officiate. Burial will follow in St. Genevieve's Cemetery in Shoreham. In lieu of flowers, donation can be made to Addison County Right to Life. Arrangements are under the direction of the SandersonDucharme Funeral home. www.sandersonfuneral service.com.