John Dan Connors

June 24^th, 1949 – December 3^rd, 2015

John (“John Dan”) Connors grew up in Bayfield NS & attended Antigonish East High School in Monastery NS. Following high school, he attended StFX University for one year before enrolling at Nova Scotia Teachers College in Truro from 1969-1971. Following this he had a distinguished 35 year teaching career.

The first 18 of these in CFB Greenwood in the Kings County School Board, and the later 17 in the Strait Regional School Board at Tracadie, Havre Boucher & St. Andrew’s. Having taught Physical Education his entire career, John was also actively involved in the NSTU & TAPHE in many roles not only as a Local Rep in both Kings County & Antigonish, but also on the Provincial Executive. John was always a huge promoter of Daily Physical Activity.

Following his retirement, and after realizing that sitting still & relaxing would only make one grow older quicker, and for him, growing older quicker was not an option, John worked at StFX University with Facilities Management on their grounds crew.

Always a proud yet humble man, one of the highlights of John Dan’s teaching career was when a young student, whom doctors had told would never walk, walked down the aisle at a family wedding to deliver the rings, much to the astonishment of all present. It was due to John’s patient, stubborn and relentless nature that this was able to happen for the young student.

John also always took the time to support & cheer on his students as they pursued sports & physical activity outside of their school, and in his spare time could often be found at the local rinks or ballfields watching. Former students always spoke fondly of “Mr. C” & is further proof that the impact that he made on his students was his lasting legacy.

Another part of John Dan’s legacy is his family, wife Angie and their three children Mike, Richie and Heidi. We are joined today by many of John Dan’s family to pay tribute and honour the lasting impact his teaching career, love for sport, and commitment to bettering others has left.