Edward W. Conners Jr.

Conners, Edward W. Jr.,

90, died on September 23, 2014. He was a World War II Veteran , a proud graduate of the University of Maine and received two masters degrees in engineering from Harvard University.

Born in Old Town, Maine, Ed was raised in Old Town and Sheet Harbor, Nova Scotia with his siblings, John, Barbara and Tom.

Ed was proud to be from Maine but had a curiosity to see more of the world. After working in Michigan and Denver, Ed met Jean Thomson in Boston and married her in 1954. He then began his long career at General Electric, moving to Louisville in 1956 to work at Appliance Park in various capacities. He retired in 1986 as Manager of Environmental Protection and Industrial Safety. He made many lifelong friends while working at GE, including Alex Rosenberg, who survives him.

Ed loved to travel, returning to Massachusetts and Maine every year on epic journeys with Jean and their five children. After retirement he traveled to his beloved Ireland, Britain and Europe.

Ed was always involved with people, Volunteering with ELFUN Society, Dare to Care, Senior House and Special Olympics . He never turned away anyone who needed help.

Ed and Jean truly embraced the spirit of Derby. As members of Bills Bunch, they volunteered at Derby events and faithfully attended the Derby party of their good friends, Bill and Maggie Lewis for many years. Ed was proud to be a Kentucky Colonel.

He is predeceased by father, Edward and mother, Ethel Hilchey Conners; brother, John; son-in-law, Robin Jimmerson; and his beloved wife of 43 years, Jean Thomson Conners.

Ed is survived by his sister, Barbara Conners of Old Town; brother, Thomas of Plymouth, MA; children, Susan Humphress Sizemore (Jeff), Sharon Jimmerson-Krauth (Don), Stefanie Conners Zoeller (Mike), Sheila Conners Wulf (Tim), and Kevin (Mary). He was the loving grandpa of nine grandchildren, Tori, Eric, Daniel, Emily, Lindsay, Megan, Nathan, Sarah and Molly; and four great grandchildren, Jake, Emma, Ben, Eli, with two more on the way.

Everyone who knew Ed feels lucky to have shared in his obvious joy in life. He will be missed by the many people he touched with his love and kindness. The family would like to give a special thanks to his nephew, Terry and the staff at both Horizon Bay and Baptist Health Louisville Palliative Care for their loving care.

A mass will be held at 10 am Saturday, September 27, 2014 at St. Barnabas Catholic Church, 3042 Hikes Lane, with burial to follow at Cave Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be 2-8 pm Friday at Ratterman and Sons, 3800 Bardstown Road.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to either Hosparus of Louisville or the Alzheimer's Association. Online condolences may be left at www.Ratterman.com