Joseph Francis Connors, 83
Joseph Francis Connors died April 8, 2014, at Hospice House in Hayden. Joe was born in Blackstone, Mass., on October 31, 1930, the son of Leo and Mary Domenick Connors. He attended schools in Lowell, Mass., where he was a standout athlete in football and baseball at both Keith Academy and Lowell High School. Joe then attended American International College in Springfield, Mass., on a football scholarship, receiving his Bachelor's Degree in sociology. He subsequently served two years in the Army.
Joe excelled in his career in sales, first in plastics and then in the building materials industry, retiring from Louisiana-Pacific in 1993. His career took him from Massachusetts to North Carolina, New Jersey, South Carolina, Florida and finally, North Idaho. Joe worked for Milton Bradley, Pioneer Plastics, Westinghouse-Micarta and Evans Products.
In 1983, Joe married his wife Kay, inheriting her four children and subsequent nine grandchildren. He enjoyed entertaining family and friends until health issues assailed him. He was a collector of everything - especially experiences: He loved to travel, try new restaurants, and meet new people whom he always turned into lifelong friends. Joe was passionate about his dogs, owning a number of Airedale terriers over the years and, for the past three years, the best little miniature schnauzer ever: Lilo. Joe was never happier than when he was puttering around his yard and enjoying the sunshine with a dog.
Joe is survived by his wife, Kay, at home; children: Bill Rivers of Longmont, Colo., Brian (Gayle) Potts of Kennewick, Wash., Lorali (Eric) Holt of Newman Lake, Wash., Brent (Amy) Potts of Los Gatos, Calif., and Jodi (Steve) Standaert of Poulsbo, Wash.; grandchildren: Zach Holt, Keith Holt, Brianna Potts, Alexis Potts, Naomi Potts, Kieran Potts, Eliza Potts, Scott Standaert and Brendan Standaert. He will be missed by his cousins in Massachusetts, and friends that he made everywhere.
A celebration of Joe's incredible life will be held at a later date, and his ashes will be placed in the Kuykendall Cemetery in Cherokee, Texas. Donations may be made in his name to the Kootenai Humane Society or Hospice House in Hayden. Yates Funeral Homes has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements.