Ted Connor

1943 - 2021

Ted Connor
July 22, 1943 - October 18, 2021
Resident of Santa Cruz
Ted Connor, aged 72, passed away on October 18, after a 10-year battle with cancer. He was born in 1949 in Springfield, Massachusetts, the fourth child of Frederick J (Ted) Connor and Lucille Derouin Connor.
Ted was an enthusiastic traveler, exploring areas of Ireland, France and Mexico; he spoke both Spanish and French well. Over the years Ted lived in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, Oklahoma, Virginia, Texas and New Mexico, and most recently Santa Cruz, California.
Ted graduated from Simsbury High School and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He worked for many years as a builder / carpenter, counselor, literacy tutor, and paralegal, ending his working life as a massage therapist. Ted was an intrepid explorer with an unquenchable curiosity. His interests were those of a true renaissance man - he wanted to learn everything! While living in Montpelier, Vermont, Ted became an accomplished potter. His love of music, especially live performances, remained strong throughout his life. Ted often spoke of how blessed he felt to have attended concerts featuring seminal musicians like Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Laura Nyro and many others. In Santa Cruz, where Ted lived for many years, he took great joy in volunteering at three popular local music venues. Ted was a constant, expansive reader, ranging from classic literature to comic books, fiction, poetry, history, criticism, current journalism and more. He always had a book in progress and introduced his friends to many new works and authors. Ted took great pleasure taking long walks in nature with family and friends, always closely observing and noting the beauty and mystery along the way. He was the poster child for "stop and smell the roses". He was also grateful and rightfully proud of his 35+ years of sobriety.
Ted was predeceased by his wife Khea (AKA Kathy) Cook and leaves behind daughter Heather Anne Wilson and grandchildren William Case Robotham and Alexandra Davis Robotham; as well as siblings Patricia Rogers and her husband James F. Rogers and their sons Jim and Dennis Rogers; Anthony Connor and his wife Paula Gannon and their sons David and Paul Connor; Timothy Connor and his wife Lucy Winner and their daughter Kyla Winner-Connor; sister Mary Connor; and sister Anne Connor Senni, and Anne's children Teo Senni, Justin Senni and Caitlin Senni. as well as many loving cousins and relations. In Santa Cruz Ted leaves many friends but especially his dear friend and companion Isabel Gilman. and longtime friend and beloved roomie Jean Morrison – both of whom made sure Ted felt nurtured and supported throughout his illness.
A celebration of Ted's life will be planned in the future. In lieu of flowers we suggest that you support charities / organizations supporting refugees and displaced peoples (such as Doctors Without Borders) or a charity of your choice addressing Ted's longtime concerns about social justice.
Ted's circle of friends here are planning a Celebration of Life event for Saturday December 18th. They want to gather at Seabright Beach at 2 pm for a bonfire.


View the online memorial for Ted Connor