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DR. JEROME J. CONNOR Jr.

DR.  JEROME J. CONNOR Jr. obituary, Arlington, MA

JEROME CONNOR Obituary

CONNOR, Dr. Jerome J. Jr. Husband, father, grandfather & MIT Professor Jerome J. Connor Jr. passed away on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024, surrounded by his family, at 91 years of age. Jerry grew up in Dorchester, MA, one of seven children of Jerome and Catherine Connor. Jerry graduated from Boston College High School and went on to Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he earned his Bachelors, Master's and PhD in Civil Engineering. He was an educator and respected expert on cylindrical and structural engineering. A pioneer in his field, he went to work at the Army Materials Lab in Watertown designing missile systems during the Vietnam War. Jerry returned to MIT to teach in the Civil Engineering Department, where he became a fully tenured professor and taught for almost 60 years. While on Sabbatical in 1983, he served as the Dean of the Engineering Department at Northeastern University and the Director of the MIT Sea Grant Program. As an industry leader, he consulted and gave presentations on many engineering projects, including the Hancock Tower glass crisis, Twin Towers in NY, the Parthenon in Greece and many others. He was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Thessaloniki in Greece and received numerous other awards and certificates. Jerry authored many books on structural engineering and boundary elements that have been translated in countless languages and used in doctoral programs at universities throughout the world. His students number in the thousands and have gone on to serve as educators and industry leaders, building iconic bridges and buildings worldwide. Jerry is survived by his wife, Barbara (Masse) from Cambridge; they would have been married 66 years this April 12, 2024. In addition, he leaves his six children, Patricia and her husband, Richard from Virginia, Stephen and his wife, Madeline from Arlington, Brian and his wife, Michele from Arlington, Michael and his wife, Christine from Woburn, Mark and his wife, Kathy from Salem, NH and Tracey and her husband, Maurice from Bloomfield, NJ. He is also survived by his sisters, Joanne and husband, Paul from Marshfield, Ann and husband, James from Milton and brother, Paul and his wife, Geraldine from Norwood. Jerry also leaves 14 grandchildren, Ian, Christian, Jeremy, Timothy, Kendall, Colleen, Elizabeth, J. Patrick, Erin, Tess, Lily, Luci, Kevin and Peter. Jerry cherished the times with his wife and family, the vacations in Eastham, the time spent in Brewster on the pond and traveling with Barbara to more than 25 different countries around the world. One pillar of his adventures included the time he took a sabbatical from MIT in 1970 and brought his family over to England, sailing on the Queen Elizabeth 2. His six children were the only children on the ship, where the class system still existed, needless to say, they didn't travel first class. During that year, the family lived and went to school in Southampton, while Jerry was a visiting Professor and taught at Southampton University. The family also traveled by Volkswagen bus throughout Europe during the holiday periods. On another trip to Ireland 20 years ago, while Jerry was presiding over the doctoral programs at Cork University, Barbara went door to door tracking down and locating the many second and third cousins from Cork Ireland, of which they have enjoyed and maintained very close relationships with over the years. His services will be held at Keefe Funeral Home, Medford Street, ARLINGTON, MA, across from St Agnes Catholic Church. Visiting Hours will be held on Wednesday, April 10, from 4 to 7pm, and a Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, April 11, at 10:30am, at St. Paul's Catholic Church, in Harvard Square, 29 Mt. Auburn Street, Cambridge, MA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to Boston College High School, 150 Morrisey Blvd., Boston, MA 02125.

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Published by Boston Globe from Apr. 2 to Apr. 7, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for JEROME CONNOR

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Walter Djordjevic

April 25, 2024

What a great life! He was my thesis advisor (SM '76) while I was an "engineering resident" at Stone & Webster. He started the residency program with S&W as an alternative to being a TA or RA. It turned out to be an excellent opportunity for 12 others and me. No airs about him but in truth he was the best. He laughed about MIT being intimidating and, as such, made us feel that we belonged. He loved academia, which is why he stayed at MIT for 60 years, but he loved his students more. We made him feel good. I am not sure he realized how much he made us feel fulfilled. It is important to say that he was brilliant, indeed the smartest guy in the room. When I joined and established a small consulting firm specializing in seismic engineering services for the nuclear power industry he recommended numerous students to us that we subsequently hired. He also worked with my engineering company as a consultant on numerous projects after graduation; after all, he knew us well! I'd stop by at MIT just to chat with him, maybe have lunch. My family stayed at his Eastham seaside cabin for a week early every summer for about 5 years running. My wife said he looked like the janitor when he'd show up, except like I said, he was the smartest guy in the room. Our condolences to his family. I loved him, too, and I miss him.

Charis Gantes

April 23, 2024

Prof. Connor was my PhD advisor from 1987 to 1991. Such a brilliant, kind and caring person! He was a role model and inspiration for my decision to follow an academic career. If my students feel for me the way his students felt for him, I would be a very fulfilled person. Last time I was in Boston, in 2018, he drove up from Cape-Cod just to see me, and we had a wonderful 2-hour conversation! Sincere condolences to his family! May his soul rest in peace.

Dr D.V Reddy

April 19, 2024

Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our sublime
And departing leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time.
- Tennyson
Remembering my good friend, Dr Connor

Sheila Sullivan

April 18, 2024

If only remember visiting his parents with my father, many, many years ago.

Mohsen Nasr

April 14, 2024

He was a great professor, who introduced many of us to a rewarding career. He was warm, loving and a great mentor. His modesty was only matched by his brilliance. I wish I could have spent more time with him but so glad I chose to be his student.

David Marks

April 14, 2024

Jerry was a senior faculty member in the Civil Engineering at MIT when I joined the faculty in 1969. Although we were in different fields structures and waters can mix. He was always a source of good advice and cheerfulness. As noted in the obit he remained on the MIT faculty for sixty years of service, teaching, research and comradery. Our best wishes to the family.

Michele Collins

April 13, 2024

Mike we´re very sorry to hear of the passing of your father. He was an amazing man. Please extend our sympathies to Christine and the kids. Love Shelly and Patrick

Lawrence Coyne

April 13, 2024

My sincere condolences to the Connor family. Professor Connor was one of the finest men I ever knew. In 1958 when I was getting out of the Army everyone at Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa, Japan told me I should go to college. I had poor grades in high school. I headed straight for Northeastern. I constantly called Professor Connor for help, particularly in Calculus, during the freshman year. I finished the first year with a 3.6GPA, got a good co-op job at Lincoln Lab, graduated in 1964 about 10th in class, and started a 30 year engineering career (three U.S. Patents one awarded to Technicon in New York and two awarded to Bunker Ramo in Illinois). I've worked full time to age 86 at Amazon in Greenfield IN. Thank you Professor Connor.

Genevieve

April 10, 2024

Condolences to the Connor family. I have fond memories of enjoying a summer day at the cape at the Connors with the rest of the M.Eng 2011 cohort.

Simon Laflamme

April 9, 2024

Professor Connor was my advisor from 2006 to 2011, and remained my mentor for my subsequent academic career. It is hard to express my gratitude, and how I feel lucky to have encountered him in my life. From him I´ve learned compassion, respect for students, and patience, which are key life value that led me to academic successes. Everybody loved Prof. Connor and enjoyed his teaching. I cannot forget all of the lengthy discussions we had in his office about unrelated topics; he knew everything about everything. Among memorable moments, there is certainly the parties he would throw with Barbara at their Cape-Cod house, and the gastronomic adventures he liked to bring me on during our out-of-state trips. I definitely recall a very refined dining experience in Quebec City with him, Barbara, and Pat Dixon. We later had a chance to regroup when I had the great honor to cook for him an Iowa-inspired meal to thank him for the great experience I had during my Ph.D and what he taught me during my time at MIT. He loved life, and this is the very essence that he impacted in his teaching. His spirit will continue to inspire future generations, as it has profoundly touched mine.

Pragnya

April 9, 2024

I have wonderful memories of Dr Connor. He had a fabulous sense of humor, was a passionate teacher, and was incredibly generous with his students. A lovely human being with a giant heart who made everyone better around him. And he LOVED Barbara (who is just as wonderful, sweet, and amazing). I hope you are at peace, Dr Connor, partying it up wherever you are. Thanks for everything. So many of us carry your legacy forward!

Farrokh Nadim

April 9, 2024

In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.

Joan McCusker

April 6, 2024

I had the privilege of working for Prof. Connor as his Adm. Assistant in CEE Dept. at MIT. I saw firsthand how he loved his students and the extent he would go to make sure they did not flounder in his class. If a student was struggling in his course, he would give them extra time in his office to help them understand more clearly.He once said to me, "I do not believe in failing any student in my classes"! He cherished his work at MIT and loved all his students. Prof. Connor was also a TRUE family-man. He loved bragging about the "Love of his Life", his wife Barbara, his children and grandchildren. They are a very close Irish family!
Everyday was a Joy to work for you, Professor Connor and May You Rest in Peace!
With Love and Prayers,

Ram D Sriram

April 5, 2024

A fond memory with Prof. Jerry Connor (Photo taken in December 2011) - Ram

Ram D Sriram

April 5, 2024

I am very saddened to hear Jerry Connor's passing away. He was an inspiration to many young faculty, including me during my brief stay at MIT (1986-1994). May his soul rest in peace. My sincere condolences to his family.

Ove Tobias Gudmestad

April 5, 2024

I send my condolences to the Connor family. I will express my greatest thanks for having had the opportunity to work as a student with Professor Connor. He was always caring for his students and represents the best of the spirit of MIT. He had friends all over the world and was to great inspiration to a large number of students, to the future engineers and educators who had the opportunity to work with him. Blessed be the memory of Professor J. J. Connor.

Nikola Deskovic, class 93, from Croatia

April 5, 2024

Thank you dear Prof. Connor, for your vision and passion in teaching what is structural engineering masterclass. I will always remember the legendary smile on your face when you were showing us the forces distribution for curved members. Your way to combine complex problems with fun in learning will remain a landmark for many generations. It was a real priviledge to be one of your students and it makes me very proud. May you rest in peace and my condolances to your family.

Jaideep Ganguly

April 5, 2024

I am very sorry to hear this sad news, my condolences to Prof. Connor's family. I remember him as a brilliant and kind man. I was his teaching assistant in 1985. Later he was a member of my doctoral thesis committee and I greatly benefited from his guidance. He had a great sense of humor and always had a twinkle in his eyes. He will forever be in our hearts. May his soul rest in peace.

MICHAEL S WOODS

April 4, 2024

I'm sorry for your loss. Prof. Connor was an enthusiastic and caring professor. I was one of his students in the late nineties.

Lana, Class of 2009

April 3, 2024

Prof Connor was a legend and it was an honor to be taught by him. He always found way to make class fun, especially when he would scream `and now we whack it with an earthquake´. He will forever live in our hearts.

Eric Adams

April 3, 2024

My condolences to Jerry's family and all his friends in CEE-land. Jerry was a huge part of our department´s Master of Engineering program, teaching and advising hundreds of students in the High Performance Structures track from the mid-1990s to the mid-2010s. His formal teaching centered around the concept of motion-based design, which he pioneered. But in addition to classroom teaching, he helped students in their design of futuristic skyscrapers and bridges, accompanied students on visits to engineering firms over IAP, and, with wife Barbara and their family, entertained students at their summer home on the Cape. Many of his former students now hold high level positions in major structural design firms throughout the world. Jerry, may you rest in peace.

Eric Adams

Denise Breton

April 2, 2024

My sincere condolences to the entire Connor family. He was a remarkable man with a wonderful, loving family.
Peace and strength in the days ahead...

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Memorial Events
for JEROME CONNOR

Apr

10

Visitation

4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Keefe Funeral Home

Medford Street, ARLINGTON, MA

Apr

11

Mass of Christian Burial

10:30 a.m.

St. Paul's Catholic Church, in Harvard Square

29 Mt. Auburn Street, Cambridge, MA

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