Thomas G. Connors
Hoboken's Respected and Well-Loved Educator
Tom Connors
Son, Brother, Husband, Father, and Educator
Thomas Gerard Connors was born on August 6, 1908 in Hoboken, New Jersey, the eldest child of five sons and one daughter of Patrick and Bridget (Delia Delaney) Connors. Thomas was a graduate of Our Lady of Grace Elementary School in Hoboken and St. Michael’s High School in Union City. He and his brother George (Spuds) Connors were key players in the St. Michael’s championship basketball teams in the late 1920’s. The brothers were also members of the baseball team. Tom served as the president of “The Chemichael Club” at St. Michael’s, a group that promoted and encouraged the study of science.
Tom earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Seton Hall College, South Orange, New Jersey. He also attended the University of Maine and the University of Miami for graduate studies.
In 1937, Tom married Viola Fay of Palisades Park, New Jersey. Their only child, Patricia, was born in 1945. The Connors family lived at 714 Garden St. in Hoboken.
Tom began teaching in the Hoboken Public Schools in 1935. Some of his favorite memories included the years he spent as a teacher, class advisor, and coach at A.J. Demarest High School. He was known as an educator who treated every person he met with the respect they deserved. He accomplished a great deal with a quiet voice and an understanding heart. Tributes from the classes that he served as an advisor were included in their yearbooks.
Tom became the vice principal of Wallace School in1950 and he was named principal of Public School 9 in 1956. He visited every classroom as often as possible to encourage the students and to support the faculty. He was dedicated to the career he chose and served as the president of the Hoboken Teachers’ Association and as the president of the Hoboken Administrators’ Association.
Tom, George, their brothers William, Vincent, and Frank, and their sister Mary remained close throughout their lifetimes, often congregating with their families at the home of their parents, 1004 Garden Street in Hoboken, or at the Marine Pool in Lake Mohawk, New Jersey where they enjoyed many summer days.
When Tom passed away from a sudden heart attack in March of 1967, his faculty petitioned that the Hoboken Board of Education and the Hoboken Mayor and Council name Public School 9 the Thomas G. Connors School. The request received overwhelming support from the citizens of Hoboken, many of whom had been his students. In April of 1967, the school on the corner of Second and Monroe Streets was officially dedicated as the Thomas G. Connors School, with the stipulation that any school designated to replace it in the future would also carry his name.
Class Of 1946
To you, Mr. Connors, we cannot express in words how much we appreciated you. You took us as a class in our last year, the most difficult of all our three years. You were a true friend, indeed, to all of us. You gave us much of your time and energy. We can never thank you enough. You were always ready with a kind word and a thoughtful deed, or some prudent advice that helped us tremendously.
Under your advisorship we gave our Senior Hop, and then, our biggest event of all, "Our Senior Play." You spent many trying hours and gave much of your time and talent to enable us to present a successful performance. One that would always be regarded by each and every Senior as the crowning achievement of his high school days. Your efforts were not in vain. Our play was a huge success. The auditorium was crowded to a great capacity for two consecutive nights. For all this, Mr. Connors, we are grateful. We pray that God will always bless you. We'll always remember you as we know you now, "one of the best," and we hope that you will never forget, the "Class of June 1946."
Class Of 1944
We the members of the Class of June, 1944 feel sure that we, as a class, had a very successful career at A. J. Demarest High School, and for this success, we are grateful to our faculty advisor, Mr. Thomas Connors.
It was the confident advice, the guiding hand and the untiring zealous effort Mr. Connors expended in our behalf that enabled us to meet with such excellent progress as we made during the three years spent here as a class.
We knew little of organization, of "meetings procedure" as it were, of running a dance, a show or any other social function when we first started out. Our genial adviser coached us and lead us and through his effort we learned to do things and to do them well.
We had our Prom and our Hop, our skating and swimming parties, our assemblies and finally, the crowning achievements of our efforts, the Senior Play.
The play was a huge success. Mr. Connors coached our play, and directed us in the business end of our adventure. We feel that we did a swell job only because of him.
To you, Mr. Connors, the entire membership of the class of June, 1944 extends a most sincere thanks. We deeply appreciate the hours you spent with us. the effort you put forth and the patience you manifested. From your fine example, we too shall learn what it means to think of others and to do things for others. Thank you again and again-We shall always be mindful of you and the fine things you did for us.
Class Of 1948
We, the members of the Senior Class, wish to express our very sincere thanks to you, Mr. Thomas G. Connors, for making our three years at A. J. Demarest happy ones indeed. You have been a true friend. It is only through your excellent guidance and everlasting patience that we have reached the highest goal of achievement.
Due to your able assistance our Spring Social, Thanksgiving Social, Junior Prom, and Football Hop were huge successes.
We know that all our thanks cannot repay to you all the time and energy you spent on our behalf. It is with deepest appreciation and gratitude that we will remember your untiring efforts and kindness, and we hope that you will keep just a little place in your heart for the class of June, 1948.