Pat Connors, a long-time educator and coach went to be with the Lord on December 2, 2015. Pat was born in Butte, MT on June 14, 1932, the 11th of 12 children to Mary and Pat Connors Sr. Pat attended St. Mary’s Elementary School and graduated from Butte High School in 1950. After graduation, he served four years in the US Navy. He returned to Butte and worked in the Stewart Mines before attending Carroll College where he played football and baseball for the Fighting Saints. He was among 15 seniors at Carroll College nominated for Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. During this time he met Joyce Davis whom he would marry on August 24, 1957; they enjoyed 58 years of marriage, of which Pat was very proud, and had two children, Dan and Colleen.
Pat started his teaching and coaching career at Helena Cathedral (Greenies) where he taught history and coached football, basketball and track and field from 1960-1965. He served as athletic director in 1965-1966 before moving to Helena High where he taught and coached until his retirement in 1998. During his 38 year tenure at Helena High, Pat coached his son, Dan, in football and track and kept score for Bengal basketball for over 40 years, four of which he was able to watch is granddaughter Mandee play. After retirement, Pat fulfilled his dream of traveling to Notre Dame with his family to watch is Fighting Irish play football and then to Seattle to watch the New York Yankees. As Pat said, “If you are from Butte, the three teams you automatically root for are the Yankees, Notre Dame and the Green Bay Packers.”
In July of 2014, Pat was blessed with the birth of his great granddaughter, Brooklyn Zuelke. He took great pride in being called great grandpa.
Pat left a big impact on his students and athletes in the Helena Community. Many of them still referred to him as “Coach” and have commented that what he taught them has made an impact in their lives. Pat leaves behind wonderful memories, a strong Catholic faith and his belief that family comes first.
Pat was preceded in death by his mother, Mary and father, Patrick, along with siblings, Lillian, Helen, John, Catherine, James, Aileen, Bernard, Gorge, William, Elinore, and Thomas. He is survived by his wife, Joyce, Son, Dan (Diana), daughter, Colleen Carroll, granddaughter, Mandee (Darrick) Zuelke, great-granddaughter, Booklyn Zuelke, sister-in-law, Janet (Bill) Kranjcec and several nieces and nephews.
A viewing will be held at 2:00 p.m. with a vigil beginning at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 6th at St. Mary Catholic Community, 1700 Missoula Ave. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 12:10 p.m. on Monday, December 7th at St. Mary Catholic Community. Rite of Committal will follow the Mass at Resurrection cemetery. A reception will follow the committal service in the social center of the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Pat’s name may be made to the Carroll College Football Fund, 1601 N. Benton, Helena, MT 59625, the American Heart Association, 706 N. Rodney St., Helena, MT 59601 or to a charity of your choice.
Service Schedule
Viewing
2:00 p.m.
Sunday December 6, 2015
Saint Mary Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Ave
Helena, Montana 59601
Vigil
3:00 p.m.
Sunday December 6, 2015
Saint Mary Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Avenue
Helena, Motnana 59601
Funeral Mass
12:10 p.m.
Monday December 7, 2015
Saint Mary Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Avenue
Helena, Montana 59601
Rite of Committal
Following the Funeral Mass
Monday December 7, 2015
Resurrection Cemetery
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Reception
Followintg the commital service
Monday December 7, 2015
Saint Mary Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Avenue
Helena, Montana 59601
Service Schedule
Viewing
2:00 p.m.
Sunday December 6, 2015
Saint Mary Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Ave
Helena, Montana 59601
Vigil
3:00 p.m.
Sunday December 6, 2015
Saint Mary Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Avenue
Helena, Motnana 59601
Funeral Mass
12:10 p.m.
Monday December 7, 2015
Saint Mary Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Avenue
Helena, Montana 59601
Rite of Committal
Following the Funeral Mass
Monday December 7, 2015
Resurrection Cemetery
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Reception
Followintg the commital service
Monday December 7, 2015
Saint Mary Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Avenue
Helena, Montana 59601
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Sue moore says
Colleen, Joyce, Dan and families…
Pat (Mr. Conners:)) will be missed. Always engaged in life, interested in everyone around him, and SO proud of his family.
Sorry for your loss. You are in our prayers.
Sue moore and Pete stabio
Donna Erwin says
Joyce, Collen, Dan and Mandy–
Pat was one of my favorite people with his sincere, friendly and engaging manner. I’ll always remember him as the score-keeper at the CHS games! Pat leaves a wonderful legacy to the world through his kids, granddaughter and great-granddaugher!
I regret that I will be out of town for his Life celebratory services and won’t be able to be there with you. Joyce, please let me know your number so I can call you after the holidays. My cell number is 461-7545.
John R. McCabe says
Coach Connors was a tough, no nonsense, man who taught young Greenie boys not only how to play football, but also how to be men. My thoughts and prayers for Pat and his family.
Chris Larson Perry says
Joyce, Coleen, and Dan.
So sorry to hear of your loss. Remembering our years on 8th Avenue.
Chris Larson Perry
Greg and Linda Paull says
Our thoughts and prayers go out to your family. Pat was a great teacher, mentor and friend. I will always remember him having tootsie pops in his pocket at cross country meets.
He will be missed by many!
Marilyn Miller says
Much of our younger lives revolved around Helena High athletics, coaches and coaches’ wives … and it was a wonderful time! Dave and I loved Pat and you too, Joyce. And as part of that friendship we came to know and care about each others’ children.
One word comes to mind when I think of Pat: SMILE. He was a kind, generous, funny guy. I always threatened to bring a pair of scissors to an event so I could cut the end off of his cigar! We’ve missed those friendships as ours lives have moved along, but I don’t think any of us have forgotten the feelings we shared for each other. Take care of yourselves, Connors family. If there is ever anything we can do to help, please let us know.
Damaso V Santana says
May he rest in peace. A hell of a man, a teacher and my coach.
I always thought he had been a Marine and before anything else he personified being an American.
Coach you taught me so much, and made a man out of a kid.
Every time life throws a curve I see coach standing over me with a huge medicine ball telling me “lets see how tough those abs are, son this is good for you” as he dropped it, this in the middle of a snowstorm.
Needless to say my Army basic training was a breeze.
Rest in peace, I know God will have you training his Avenging Angels, it was a pleasure and an honor to have seen you and shaken your hand at the Montana Club, the fact you went there told me who you are.
God Bless!
Patrick McCarthy says
Joyce, Dan, Colleen & Family – Coach Connors was my football coach and I always enjoyed visiting with him on my trips to Helena. He is the last of my coaches as we lost Pat O’Leary and Jim Stanton many years ago. They are all in my stories as teachers and coaches as well as their wives whom they so willingly shared with the students of Helena Catholic Central High School. Our 50th class reunion is next year. I will make it a point to mention Coach Connors name every chance I get. Along with my father Coach was part of the fabric that makes me the man I am today. He will be missed.
Diana Macaraeg-Langenfus says
Joyce Dan Colleen and family,
Coach Connors was one of my teachers and in later years became a friend I enjoyed spending time with. He scared the bejesus out of me in high school. I remember and teased him frequently about the 2012 Cathedral all Class Reunion, he had an endless stream of people standing around waiting to talk with him. I told him he need to come hold court at more reunions. He is in every class photo taken at that event from early 60’s at Cathedral to the last Classes from Central. I so enjoyed getting him to talk football and of some of the guys in my class as well as Classes ahead of me, he always had a memory or two that could bend you over laughing. I also loved hearing his stories and memories of the Cuban boys that came to Cathedral in the early 60’s. He became quite a mentor to most of them as they were here with out Parents. Even tho he had a great deal of compassion for all of them, he cut no slack in seeing to it they maintained the same discipline he expected from all his students and athletes. He was quite a guy and I feel very fortunate to have gotten to spend time with him these past three or four years and see a side of him I learned to adore. He will be missed by many.
Patricia Dodge Robinson says
He was a wonderful teacher and encouraged my love of history (although I was usually in trouble!) My memories are good…
Silvio Rodriguez says
Pat Connors was my teacher and coach in High School and after. The class he taught in Cathedral High right after lunch was specially challenging for me. You see, Mr. Connors knew I would fall sleep on his class right after eating lunch, and I knew I was the target for the blackboard eraser he would throw at me to wake me. His aim was not very good at the beginning but with a lot of practice he was scoring well towards the end of the semester.
After High School I played fast pitch softball for the Coach. He must have been still mad about my sleeping in his class for he made me play third base for his team for 2-years. Most of the scars are now covered with old age spots, and the limp, oh well, it gives me more character.
I am glad Pat and Joyce came to the Cuban Reunion in Helena, and also glad we were able to get together later on.
I will miss Coach.
Scott O'Leary says
Colleen and family,
My condolences to you and your family. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Kevin Dunn says
I’m one of those guys that will ALWAYS remember “COACH” Connors. I have fond memories of Coach as a teacher… and especially as a coach. My favorite memory of a “bonding” experience with Coach Connors was when he checked me out of detention for football practice when I was a junior. He escorted me from detention to the locker room with his arm around my shoulders… smiling and chatting the whole way. It was the best practice I ever remember… but it was the “after the practice” session I spent with Coach (paying my penance) that has always stood as one of the great “lessons” he passed on to me.
I’m glad I was able to attend his funeral and couldn’t help but laugh at the cemetery when the funeral director called us all in to the grave with a “Huddle Up!”.
My condolences to Mrs. Connors, Colleen, Dan, and the entire family. Coach touched many lives and I’m thankful that mine was one of them.
Dick McMahon says
My prayers and condolences to the Connors family. Coach Connors was a fantastic man and, speaking for myself and Rick Thompson, always enjoyed visiting with him at Vig, the Dahlberg, or Divisionals and State track meets in the Spring. Coach was one of the good ones and will certainly be missed.
Bev & Lee Wulf says
So very sorry to hear of Pat’s passing. We missed you both at our 65th reunion but be consoled because we have many alumni
waiting for us all. He was a very special guy and will be deeply missed by us all. If there is anything we can do for you, please don’t hesitate to call.
Love and prayers.
Bev & Lee