Obituary of James E. "Big Jim" Connors

James E. "Big Jim" Connors, 83, of West Peabody, died at his home following a long illness on Saturday, June 13, 2009 with his family by his side. He was the husband of Janet (Cormier) Connors with whom he shared 58 years of marriage. Big Jim was born in Lynn, MA on August 27, 1925, the son of the late Patrick and Catherine (Kane) Connors and was raised and resided in Peabody most of his life. He enlisted in the US Navy during WW 11 on June 23, 1943 and served aboard the USS Yosemite and was honorably discharged as a Seaman First Class on April 28, 1946. Following his discharge, he became a member of the Teamsters Union, Local 42 of Lynn and was an oil truck driver for nearly 40 years before retiring in 1985. He had Been a member of the V.F.W. Chapter 1011 of Peabody and also a member of the A.O.H. Div. 11 of Peabody. Big Jim devoted his entire life to his family and his legacy is his reputation for being a friend to anyone needing help. He opened his house to friends and strangers alike. Surviving him besides his wife are his children and their spouses, James M. Connors of Peabody, Jayne Chlopek and her husband Jerry of Florida, Judy Romano and her husband David and Joanne Felt and her husband Michael all from Maine, Patrick Connors and his wife Dina and Joseph J. Connors and John Connors all of Peabody; his ten grandchildren, Jonathan O'Neil and his wife Kate, Jason Chlopek, Joseph J. Connors Jr., Amanda Chlopek, Patrick Felt, Teegan Romano, Kristina Connors, Timothy Felt, Patrick P. Connors and Sarah Felt; two great grandchildren, Bailey O'Neil and Jonathan James O'Neil, his siblings, Helen Murdoch, Frank Connors, Eugene and his wife Marilyn Connors , John Connors and several nieces and nephews. He was the Brother of the late Patricia La Plante and the brother-in-law of the late Urban Murdoch, Phyllis Connors and Ruth Connors. A Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 4:00 until 8:00 PM at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home at the 82 Lynn St., Peabody facility. His funeral will be held on Thursday at 11:00 AM from the Funeral home followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Adelaide's Church, Lowell St., West Peabody at 12 Noon. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery, Peabody. Expressions of sympathy may be made to Merrimack Valley Hospice, 360 Merrimack St., Lawrence, MA 01843 or to St. Jude Children Research Hospital, P.O. Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101-9929 in his memory.