Washington (July 23, 2024) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) released the following statement on the passing of Jack Connors

“When Jack and I met for lunch at McKenna’s in Dorchester a few weeks ago, we talked about the future. It was the day of the Boston Celtics championship duck boat parade, and we spent some time reminiscing about the greats – Russell, Bird, Havlicek. But we enjoyed more our talk of how great the Celtics would be in the seasons to come, how they would define the team for this and the next generation of fans and young players. That’s what Jack always did, he focused on the future, a future for Massachusetts and its families that would be healthier, brighter, and with more opportunity. Through his business achievements and philanthropic projects, through his vision, influence, and deep humanity, Jack Connors defined the economic, educational, political, and health care landscape of Boston and the entire Commonwealth.

“Our lunch continued over news of Boston College, with both of us excited for a new chapter for our alma mater that educated us as blue-collar kids. We talked about how fortunate we both are, the help he received from his father for that first investment in Hill-Holliday, his family’s unending love, which in turn fueled his love for the communities in which he lived, worked, and served. More than anything, Jack talked about how proud he was of Camp Harbor View and the impacts it would have on countless children and vulnerable families, putting them on a pathway to a more hopeful future.

“Jack Connors knew what it meant to take what little you had or as much as you earned and dedicate it to making a better community and a better world. And that is exactly what he did. His legacy of service, of excellence, of investment, of compassion will forever be remembered because it is woven into the fabric of the future of the children, families, and organizations of Boston and Massachusetts. Jack and I spoke by phone last week, and I thanked him for everything. My heart and prayers go out to his wife Eileen and the entire Connors family.”

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