Obituary of Donald Edward Connors

March 14, 1945 – Gravelbourg, Saskatchewan

June 1, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Donald E. Connors on the afternoon of Saturday, June 1, 2024, at Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary, AB, at the age of 79 years. After a short battle with onset cognitive issues, he passed suddenly but peacefully surrounded by family.

Donald was born in Gravelbourg, SK, in 1945. He was the middle child of Tom and Simone Connors, who were third-generation Irish and French immigrants. Donald is survived by his older sister Diane and brother-in-law Tom Royan; and younger sister Helen, predeceased by brother-in-law William Hastings.

After growing up in Regina and attending the University of Saskatchewan, he obtained a bachelor’s degree in psychology. He worked for Acme Novelty and met an inspiring entrepreneur, Jim Pattison. He also met the love of his life, Bernadette (Bernie) Marshall. They were married in 1969 and both began what would become illustrious careers.

Donald helped grow the Jim Pattison Group into the fourth-largest private company in Canadian history. Over the thirty years he worked for The Pattison Group, he lived in fourteen different cities in three countries and met four U.S. Presidents, two world leaders, and numerous influential people. He retired in 2002 in San Diego, California.

Donald was predeceased by his wife Bernadette in 1999, father Tom in 2003, and his mother Simone in 2018. He is survived by his son Corbett, sisters, Helen and Diane; granddaughter Caitlin (Little fella Nick), and grandson Caleb.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Cecilia Roman Catholic Church (5020 7th Ave, Regina, SK S4T 0S1), on Saturday, June 29, 2024, at 3:00 p.m.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Alzheimer Society of Calgary, Dementia, Dy 800, 7015 Macleod Trail S.W., Calgary, AB, T2H 2K6, Telephone: (403)290-0110, www.alzheimercalgary.com.  

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Donald’s family here.

In living memory of Donald Connors, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street North, Calgary, AB T2E 2V6, Telephone: 403-276-2296.