CONNORS

THOMAS JAMES CONNORS

It is with great sadness that his family reports the passing of Thomas James Connors, 74, who died peacefully on Saturday, September 9, 2023, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, after a brief illness.

Born May 4, 1949 to Sophie (Korkuc) and Thomas Dempsey Connors in North Attleboro, Mass., Tom was raised in East Providence, RI. He graduated from Brown University in 1971 with a B.A. in anthropology, and received an M.A. in American Civilization from Brown in 1978.

Tom spent his career as an archivist, beginning with positions at the Yale University and University of Vermont Libraries before being named Assistant Archivist of the AFL-CIO Archives in Washington, DC in 1982. Subsequently, he worked on oral history projects, and created an historical records program for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. In 1991, he received a grant to educate Pakistani archivists and records managers.

In 1993, he was named Archivist for the National Public Broadcasting Archives at the University of Maryland, where he managed the archives associated with public broadcasting in the U.S., including National Public Radio. In 2008, he was named George Washington University's Labor Archivist for the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. He retired in 2018.

Tom was a longtime member of the Society of American Archivists, serving as a Council member and chair of the International Archival Affairs Committee. He published numerous articles and presented papers on labor and government archives in the U.S. and 11 countries.

He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Michelle Dolbec, of Montreal. Survivors also include three sisters and two brothers as well as numerous nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and cousins.

Those who knew Tom will deeply miss the beautiful, intelligent, confident man he was, his kindness, dry sense of humor, his intellectual curiosity, interest in people and cultures, extraordinary ability to connect to people and make friends, loyalty to friends, and his love of music.

Tom's funeral is scheduled for October 7, 2023, at the Magnus Poirier Funeral Home, 6825 East Sherbrooke St., Montreal. The service will be available on-line starting at 12:15 p.m. at https://vimeo.com/event/3708053. The burial will be private. The family requests no flowers, but if they wish, friends may give a donation to a charity of their choice in Tom's memory.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Washington Post from Sep. 20 to Sep. 24, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Connors

7 Entries

Jeffrey Hall

January 27, 2024

Tom was a good person and a good friend. We stayed in touch for a few years after graduation, but lost contact after that; it was great to see him at our 35th reunion and at our 'friends group' get together in Virginia a few years after that. He called me a few years later--we enjoyed a good conversation. Even though our contacts have been sporadic in the decades since we were close, I treasure each one of them...I miss Tom a lot.

adi gevins

October 25, 2023

Dang, Thom was the best. Intelligence, knowledge, encouragement, work/play mate. I'm so sorry we missed more times to collaborate, and now...only memories and inspiration. Love to all. How lucky we are to have known him

Sharon Stanczak

October 11, 2023

Heartfelt condolences! Tom was a wonderful friend to me at the University of Maryland, so long ago. He was always supportive and extremely kind, encouraging me to follow my dreams.

Shelley Sweeney

October 9, 2023

Michelle: I well remember how Tom and you organized archivists with interest in international archives at SAA. The kindness of you both was greatly appreciated. It was always good to see you though I was not able to make many SAA meetings. I am so sorry to hear of Tom's untimely passing.

Brad Sabin Hill

September 23, 2023

Tom was a very decent man, a warm person. I have fond memories of speaking with him inside and outside of GWU where we worked. My condolences to Michelle and his whole extended family.

Katharina Hering

September 23, 2023

Dear Michelle, I just saw the obituary in the Washington Post, I'm so very sorry. I did an internship with Tom at the IBT Archives over ten years ago, he was a professional mentor of sorts, and I will always remember his vast knowledge of labor history and archives, his solidarity, kindness, generosity and wit. With sadness, in deepest sympathy, Katja

Sharon L Connors

September 21, 2023

My dear Michelle, you are in my thoughts every day. Love, Sharon

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