Martin Gerald Connor

Marty Connor, of Aptos, California, died early Saturday from injuries sustained in a vehicular accident in Northern California. Marty was the son of the late Gerry Connor, and is survived by his mother, Margaret Connor of Toledo, his wife Sharon (Horacek), his daughter Jennifer, of Cambridge, Ma., brothers Jim (Kathy) Connor of Naperville, Illinois, Kevin (Dawn) Connor of Marietta, Georgia, his mother-in-law, Elaine Horacek of Helena, Montana, and sister-in-laws Sheila (Sam) Sutton of Helena, Montana , Sherrie (Sherman) Williams of Silverdale, Washington, and eight nieces and nephews. Marty, or "Bear" as he was called by his Toledo friends, was a 1962 graduate of Blessed Sacrament Grade School and a 1966 graduate of St. Francis de Sales High School. Marty graduated from Xavier University in Cincinnati in 1970, and several years later earned a double MBA in Finance and Marketing from Xavier. After completing graduate school, Marty returned to Toledo and began his career as an international auditor with Dana Corporation, a position he held until he became Controller and then Vice President for Dana's Summit Engineering operation in Bozeman, Montana. After leaving Montana, Marty moved to California, Cleveland, Chicago and eventually settled in Aptos, California, as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Applied Motion Products in Watsonville, Ca. Marty was best known for his quick wit, his contagious smile and his incredible generosity. He had an uncanny ability to make people feel special, a characteristic that certainly contributed to his professional and personal success. He was most happy when surrounded by friends and family, always accommodating and ensuring that everyone was enjoying themselves. He was affectionately called "Uncle Buck" by family members who knew what a soft touch he was with his daughter and his nieces and nephews. He and Sharon both enjoyed their California lifestyle, whether walking their dog, Austin, down to the beach near their home or out cruising along Pacific Coast Highway. Marty was a devoted fly-fisherman who enjoyed annual family trips up to the Au Sable River near Grayling, and his annual fishing trip to Montana with his brothers. When relaxing at home, he could often be found with the television remote in hand, scanning the channels to find his Cleveland Indians or his Chicago Bears. Marty was truly an exceptional person who will be missed by all. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, September 29th at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, located at 5373 S. Main St. in Sylvania, Ohio. In accordance with family wishes, their will be no visitation, and the family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to either St. Francis de Sales High School at 2323 W. Bancroft St, Toledo, Ohio, 43607, or Xavier University, 3800 Victory Parkway, Cincinnati, Ohio 45207. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Ansberg-West Funeral Directors. 419-472-7633.

Martin Gerald Connor

September 22, 2007