Eugene Michael "Geno" Conners

Eugene Michael Conners, or Geno, as he was known to family and friends, died on August 20, 2022 in his beloved home in Bisbee, AZ. Geno was born to Dot and Dick in Toronto, Canada in 1958, the sixth of eight brothers and sisters. He spent his childhood in Mountain Lakes, NJ, in Northbrook near Chicago, IL, and in Tucson, AZ, where he graduated from Sabino High School in 1977.

After high school, Gene studied communications at Phoenix College and ASU, but in the early 80s he returned to Chicago to pursue a career in acting. For two years he studied comedy improvisation with the renowned 2nd City Repertory Theater. During his years in Chicago, Geno worked in restaurants, eventually becoming sous chef at the famed Chez Chazz.. This is where he honed his terrific cooking skills that were such a gift to all of us. Throughout his life Gene showed his love by feeding family and friends his specialties: traditional corned beef and cabbage, heaping plates of spaghetti with savory red sauce, thick pork chops wrapped in bacon, known to the family as "medallions of heaven", and so much more - all delicious, all infused with love.

Later, Gene returned to AZ and settled in Tucson where, with his younger brother Andy, he worked for several years for the Larson Company, creating artificial rock habitats for zoos and aquariums. It was tough work, but he loved the opportunities it gave him to visit parts of the country that he may not have otherwise experienced. It was during this time that Gene faced some of his life's biggest challenges. He eventually found help and strength through the Verhelst House here in Bisbee. This was the start of something pretty wonderful: not only did Gene fall in love with the community of Bisbee, but it was here that he met the love of his life, Marguerite. They married in 1996, and were blessed with the birth of their daughter Emma the following year.

Over the next 25+ years, Gene created a life he loved in Bisbee. His business, Conners Painting, expanded, and he made many life-long friends through his work and community involvement. Gene served on the board of the Verhelst Recovery House, was an appointed member of the city Design and Review Board and was elected to the Bisbee City Council, serving as a council member for Ward 1 from 2012 to 2016. Gene helped bring national attention to Bisbee in 2013 through the City Council's approval of an ordinance recognizing civil unions for same sex couples, making Bisbee the first city in the State of Arizona to do so.

Gene loved community theater, and throughout the years he acted in a number of plays including Someone To Watch Over Me, True West, Art, Waiting for Godot, and Inherit the Wind. While visiting Chicago, Gene saw Yasmin Reza's God of Carnage, and was inspired to bring it to Bisbee, directing and acting in the production in 2017. Gene often expressed how lucky he was to work with local actors and community members who felt as passionate about the arts in Bisbee as he did.

Gene's greatest joy in life was his daughter Emma. His eyes lit up with love and pride whenever he spoke about her, and he would often reflect that his family was his greatest accomplishment. When Emma decided to study at DePaul University in Chicago, Gene relished introducing her to the city he loved second only to Bisbee. Throughout his life, Gene consistently kept in touch with his extended family across the country. He was the highlight of countless family gatherings. While his presence could fill the room, he also delighted in one-on-one conversations about politics, books, philosophy or the stories he'd heard on his beloved NPR. He will always be remembered for his wit, his generosity and loyalty, his love of music and the stage, and his deep abiding love of family. He will be sorely missed.

Gene was predeceased by his parents Dot and Dick, his brother Richard, and nephew Timothy (son of Terry and Laura). He is survived by his wife Marguerite and daughter Emma, brothers Dennis (wife Barbara), Thomas (wife Diane), Terence (wife Laura) and Andrew (wife Renee), and sisters Carolyn and Margaret, and sister-in-law Catherine (wife of Richard). He is uncle to: Maggie, Michael, Clare, Charley, Patrick, Richard, Ellie, Vaughan, Tyler, Jesse, Jeffrey, Joe, Jack, Danny and Sean. He is a cousin and grand cousin to far too many to list here.

A private service will be held on October 22nd, followed by a Celebration of Life at 1:00 pm, at the home of Terry and Laura Conners, 2043 E. Towner Street, Tucson. AZ 85719. In lieu of flowers, please give generously in his name to Verhelst Recovery House vrh@verhelstrecoveryhouse.org, NPR or your favorite charity.