A funeral Mass for Monsignor John Patrick Connor was celebrated on June 19 at St. Henry Church in Nashville, with Diocese of Nashville Bishop J. Mark Spalding serving as the celebrant.
Monsignor Connor died peacefully at his home on June 13. He was 88.
Monsignor Connor was born on June 2, 1935, in Nashville to Eugene Francis and Augusta Josephine (Lomasney) Connor. He attended Holy Name elementary school and was the salutatorian graduate of Father Ryan High School’s class of 1953. He then attended St. Ambrose College in Davenport, Iowa, St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore, and Memphis State University.
Monsignor Connor was ordained to the priesthood on May 27, 1961, at the Cathedral of the Incarnation in Nashville by Bishop William L. Adrian. He served as associate pastor or pastor of multiple parishes in Memphis and Nashville as well as in Greeneville, Dayton, and Columbia. He was a professor at Catholic High School for Boys and a professor and assistant principal at Bishop Byrne High School in Memphis. He served as the principal of Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga and Father Ryan High School in Nashville.
Diocesan leadership positions Monsignor Connor held over the years included chancellor and vice chancellor of the Diocese of Nashville, where he also served on the Presbyteral Council and College of Consultors; episcopal vicar of the Nashville Deanery; bishop’s delegate for education; vicar general and moderator of the curia; vicar of education; administrator for the relocation of Father Ryan High School; and permanent chaplain for Knights of Columbus Council 7447.
He retired from full-time ministry in 2005 but continued to assist his brother priests in parishes for many years. At the Chrism Mass in April 2019, Bishop Spalding announced that Father Pat Connor had been bestowed the title of “Monsignor” by Pope Francis.
Monsignor Connor is survived by his sister, Mary Jane Connor; brothers Frank (Nancy) Connor, Rick (Brenda) Connor, Tom (Judy) Connor, Hank (Terry) Connor; 13 nieces and nephews, Michael (Jill) Connor, Kathy (Gary) Fottrell, David Connor, Jeannine (Bill) Moore, Joe (Kerry) Connor, Carol (Chris) Dunn, Kevin (Rachel) Connor, Debbie (Tom) Sloan, Suzie (Jonathan) Cole, Tom (Julie) Connor, Kim (Bob) Szemethy, Pat (Christin) Connor, Dan (Sharon) Connor; 31 great-nieces and great-nephews; and three great-great-nephews.
Pallbearers for the funeral Mass were Monsignor Connor’s nephews and nephews-in-law. Burial was in Priests Circle in Calvary Cemetery in Nashville.
