Albert James Connor

Albert (Al) James Connor of W. Bloomfield, MI passed away on July 12, 2024 from advanced stage kidney failure. He was 89 years old. Al was born on June 5, 1935 in Philadelphia, PA to Irish heritage parents Albert and Nancy Connor. Al was the oldest of five siblings. He is predeceased by his brother Bob and sister-in-law Dori, his brother Ronnie, his sister Jean and brother-in-law Skip. Al is survived by his loving wife Linda Connor (nee Croll), his younger sister Marilyn Colbert and her husband Al, his children Anne Megnin (FL), Scott Connor and his wife Denise (NC), Michael Connor and his life partner Kimberlee Dix (SC), Barbara Hearle and her husband John (NJ), Liz Burger and her husband Chris (MI), his grandchildren Sean Megnin and his wife Kristina, Joshua Connor, Evan Megnin and his wife Amalia, Kaitlyn Connor and her fiancé Akhil, Austin Connor, Ashley Hardin and her husband Christopher, Ryan Connor, Jacob Burger, Brady Hearle, Bodie Hearle, Alexandra Burger, his great grandchildren Alex Megnin, Michael Megnin, and many nieces and nephews whom he adored and enjoyed many summer reunions with in Sea Isle City, NJ. Al truly cherished his longtime friendships and kept in frequent contact with his friends and colleagues.
Al was proud to be the first in his family to attend college and inspired his brothers to also seek a higher education. Al graduated with a Marketing degree from La Salle University in Philadelphia, PA. He also served in the Army Reserve. Al spent most of his career as a sales executive, most notably with Control Data Corporation. Career opportunity advancements relocated his family, Helen Connor and their four children, around the country. Al continued working as a business consultant well into his retirement years, relocating expatriates to U.S. corporate positions. When asked why he never fully retired, Al often joked "there's only so much golf you can play!".
Al was an extraordinary and animated storyteller. His large family of four generations, as well as his close friends, relished in his humorous stories. He occasionally embellished his tales for the greater good of entertaining the crowd! The family is grateful to have recordings of those wonderful memories. Al loved to cook and prepared delicious meals from notable chefs' recipes (he was particularly fond of The Barefoot Contessa). He was also an avid reader. His favorite author was #1 NY Times Bestseller David Baldacci. Al enjoyed jazz music and often brought younger family members to live performances to share with them his appreciation of that music genre. He also had a fascination with the lively energy of gospel music and recently attended a large congregational service in downtown Detroit to experience it for himself for the first time.
Al's greatest joy in life was spending quality time with his family. He loved attending family weddings, graduations, kids sporting events, recitals, and school functions with his grandchildren. Those happy memories will forever stay with us.
Al always kept a positive attitude, even when challenged with health struggles in recent years. He revered his doctors, often befriending them with his optimism and large personality.
In honor of Al's final wishes, A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 10, 2024 at A J Desmond & Sons Funeral Home, 32515 Woodward Ave. Royal Oak, MI 48073 Ph: 248-549-0500. Visitation begins at 11:00am with the Celebration of Life at 1:00pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Al's favorite charity, St. Jude's at www.stjude.org would be much appreciated.