Charles "Chuck" Connors

Charles left this world for the next surrounded by family. He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Evelyn, three children, Jeanette, Mike, and Dave, six grandchildren and 2 1/2 great grandchildren. His commitment to his family never wavered.Chuck was born in Holtville, CA on February 24, 1932, the second son of Ira and James Connors. Most of his life was spent in Long Beach, California between a very small street named Eliot Lane and building a community with his family on Montair Avenue. He enlisted in the Air Force during the Korean War after graduating from Wilson High School and his draft letter came in the mail a few months later. He chose the Air Force hoping to repair planes, but instead worked in encryption. He spent a year training in San Antonio, Texas before being deployed to Japan for three years. Although he spoke little of his time in the service, he would say he served a precise "3 years, 9 months and 23 days." He climbed Mount Fuji while serving in Japan and cracked a major code for the Air Force.He returned to Long Beach and married Evelyn Ridgeway in 1956. Soon after, he started working for the Port of Long Beach as a draftsman while studying civil engineering at Cal State Long Beach, graduating in 1964. In his 32 years at the Port of Long Beach he worked his way up to Chief Harbor Engineer and then Deputy Executive Director. He oversaw major expansion at the Port during his tenure and traveled the world extensively. As much as he loved his time working at the Port, family and faith always came first. To build excitement for summer trips, each January he would open maps of the United States and point to State and National Parks to target for family camping vacations. Yosemite was one of his favorites. Chuck was a man of strong faith throughout his life, drawing strength and joy from his church communities. Chuck will be remembered as a humble, moral, and ethical leader, as it was always difficult to pry any stories out of him about his time at the Port or Air Force, his family will continue to look to him as an example of honesty and dedication to those he loves.