James P. Connors, 77, of Scranton, died Wednesday at home. His wife is Susan Blum Connors. They celebrated 34 years of marriage on June 24. Born in Scranton, son of the late Thomas and Lucille Conlon Connors, his lifelong commitment to public education started at a young age in Minooka as a student at Woodrow Wilson School. He later graduated from Central High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in history and education from East Stroudsburg University. Always a champion for students and their families, he got his start in public service with the Minooka Neighborhood Association petitioning to keep Wilson School open. It was not the last school he fought to save, believing that kids from all neighborhoods have a right to a good education close to home. He was thrilled when he was offered a job at the Scranton School District as the Title 1 Administrator. He oversaw programs to enrich students’ math and reading skills and helped create the district’s preschool program. Though he moved on to other jobs, his heart remained with the Scranton School District for the rest of his life, and he never stopped advocating for its staff, students and families. As the community development director for the City of Scranton under Mayor David Wenzel, Jim advocated for fair housing for city residents, fought blight and demanded that out-of-town landlords care for their properties appropriately. Jim was sworn in as Scranton’s 28th mayor on Jan. 1, 1990, and was reelected in 1993 and 1997. Among his proudest accomplishments as mayor were the Steamtown Mall, the Hilton Hotel and Conference Center, and never raising taxes. After leaving office, he was a substitute teacher in the Scranton School District and was then appointed as Governor Rendell’s deputy director of his Northeast office. Jim continued serving in that role until his retirement from public office in 2009. A lifelong advocate for the arts, Jim attended Woodstock in 1969 and never lost his joy for live music. He supported music events locally and at the Deer Head Inn in Delaware Water Gap, looking forward every year to the Delaware Water Gap Jazz Festival and the concert series at Nay Aug Park. He never missed an opportunity to attend and promote local shows, and was even known to get on stage himself, singing “Johnny B. Goode” with the Poets and performing “Love Letters” with his beloved wife, Susie. He believed in the arts as a source of community, a way to bring people together from all walks of life and to display the great depth of talent in Northeast Pennsylvania. He always encouraged local artists to foster their craft and to share their gifts with the world, seeing their success as a point of pride for Scranton. Throughout his life, Jim always sought to serve people. There was no problem too small to bring to him. He wanted to hear every person’s story and learn how he could help them. Even after his life in public office ended, his life of public service continued until the day he died. Never one to sit on the sidelines, he was a lifelong fighter for social justice and human rights. He held signs in picket lines for working people and unions, and just last Monday attended a rally on Courthouse Square for women’s reproductive rights. He was very active in many community nonprofits, including the RSVP program at the United Way, Tour de Scranton and Erin’s Fund, the Lackawanna Corridor River Association and Jewish Family Service. He took great pride in his family, especially his wife, his children and his five granddaughters. He never missed their concerts, dance recitals, plays, sporting events and graduations, often writing notes of praise and encouragement on the event programs as a keepsake for his loved ones. In addition to his wife, Jim is survived by his children, Liz Hemphill and husband, Matt Hemphill; Zac Connors and David Connors, all of Scranton; grandchildren, Dr. Maggie Maguire and husband, Atty. Brian Maguire, Philadelphia; Quinn MacDonald and husband, Dr. Jake MacDonald, Atlanta; Tricia Hemphill, Philadelphia; and Aylah and Avery Connors, Scranton. Also surviving are siblings, Joyce McNamara and husband, Gerard McNamara, Scranton; Jack Connors and wife, Carita Connors, Scranton; and Patrick Connors and wife, Ann Connors, Dunmore; brother-in-law, Norbert DeMars, Fort Myers Beach, Fla.; sister-in-law, Eileen Coyne, Scranton; as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins. In addition to his parents and his mother-in-law, Fern Blum, he was predeceased by brother, Thomas “Bobo” Connors; and sisters, Tina Connors and Mary Anne DeMars; as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. in St. Peter’s Cathedral, Wyoming Avenue, Scranton, by the Rev. Jeffrey D. Tudgay and Monsignor Joseph G. Quinn. Friends may call in the church on Monday from 4 to 7 p.m. Arrangements by Eagen-Hughes Funeral Home, 2908 Birney Ave., Scranton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the donor’s favorite charity.

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