Jack Connors (businessman)

John Connors (June 9, 1942 – July 23, 2024) was an American businessman and philanthropist from Boston, Massachusetts. He grew up in Roslindale, MA and attended Boston College. He co-founded Hill, Holliday, Connors, Cosmopulos, Inc. in 1968, which grew to become one of the leading advertising agencies in the United States, working with prominent clients like Bank of America, Massachusetts Lottery, and Dunkin' Donuts.[1] In 2021, he left his office in the John Hancock Tower.[2]

Beyond his business work, Connors was active in philanthropic endeavors, particularly in healthcare in Boston.[3][4][5] As chairman of the board of trustees at Partners HealthCare (now Mass General Brigham), he played a crucial role in advancing the largest healthcare provider in Massachusetts.[6][7] He also chaired the Dana-Farber/Partners CancerCare and Harvard CancerCare boards.[8][9] He founded the Connors Center for Women's Health and Gender Biology at Brigham and Women's Hospital.[10][11] He helped raise money for the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program.[12]

Connors was active in supporting education. He served as University Trustee and twice as chair of the Board of Boston College.[8] He chaired capital campaigns for BC and regularly donated.[13] Connors donated $10 million to establish The Connors Family Retreat and Conference Center in 2005.[14][15] He supported Catholic schools.[16][17] He founded and supported the Archdiocese of Boston’s Campaign for Catholic Schools, which has raised $130 million.[8] He was instrumental in establishing Camp Harbor View, a summer camp for Boston's underserved youth,[18][19] He supported One Fund Boston after the Boston Marathon bombing.[20]

Connors supported MA Governor Charlie Baker[21] and he chaired his re-election campaign in 2018.[22] He received the Award for Inspired Leadership from the Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate.[23] He was a friend and supporter of longtime Boston Mayor Thomas Menino.[24]

His contributions have earned him various awards and honorary degrees, recognizing his impact on business and community service.[25] In 2024 Jesuits USA East honored Connors and his wife with the Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam Award.[26] He was awarded an honorary Doctor of Business Administration degree from Boston College in 2007.[8]

Death

Connors died after a battle with pancreatic cancer on July 23, 2024, at the age of 82.[27] Tributes were made by Mayor of Boston Michelle Wu, Governor of Massachusetts Maura Healey, and Cardinal Seán Patrick O'Malley.[27][28]

References

  1. ^ Bryan, Marquard. "Jack Connors, advertising titan and legendary philanthropist-power broker, dies at 82 - The Boston Globe". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  2. ^ Edelman, Larry. "'I love this town.' Jack Connors is leaving behind the Hancock tower, but not his philanthropy - The Boston Globe". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  3. ^ Harding, Alison (2022-04-03). "Jack Connors & Robert Keefe Named Foundation Trustees". InsideCharity.org. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  4. ^ Doyle, Patrick (2013-03-26). "The List: Boston's 25 Most Powerful People in Boston Philanthropy 2013". Boston Magazine. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  5. ^ Kix, Paul (2010-09-27). "Is Jack Connors the Last King of Boston?". Boston Magazine. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  6. ^ "The one hundred honoree: Jack Connors, Jr". Massachusetts General Hospital Giving. 2017-01-01. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  7. ^ "Retiring Partners HealthCare chairman Jack Connors feted by friends and colleagues". www.boston.com. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  8. ^ a b c d "In Memoriam: John M. (Jack) Connors". Boston College. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  9. ^ Carlson, Eryn. "Camp Harbor View's Beach Ball raises $6 million - The Boston Globe". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  10. ^ Soroff, Jonathan (2023-12-13). "The Interview: Legendary Philanthropist and Ad Man Jack Connors". Boston Magazine. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  11. ^ Communication, BWH Strategic (2024-07-23). "In Memoriam: Jack Connors Jr". Brigham Bulletin. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  12. ^ "'Medicine that Matters' gala raises more than $1 million to support health care for homeless | Dorchester Reporter". www.dotnews.com. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  13. ^ Murphy, Connor (2017-03-23). "Longtime Trustees Connors and Gabelli Talk Monan's Impact". The Heights. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  14. ^ Boston College Chronicle, Volume 14, Number 3, 6 October 2005
  15. ^ The Heights, Volume LXXXVI, Number 35, 13 October 2005
  16. ^ Shanahan, Mark. "Campaign for Catholic Schools marks milestone - The Boston Globe". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  17. ^ "Major work underway at the old St. Gregory's schoolhouse | Dorchester Reporter". www.dotnews.com. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  18. ^ "Boston philanthropist Jack Connors remembered for work with inner-city children - CBS Boston". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  19. ^ "Why Jack Connors is one happy camper these days". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  20. ^ Doyle, Patrick (2013-04-24). "The Philanthropy Power Players Behind One Fund Boston". Boston Magazine. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  21. ^ Leung, Shirley. "Jack Connors raises $200,000 for Charlie Baker - The Boston Globe". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  22. ^ Shira, Schoenberg (2018-09-06). "Boston philanthropist Jack Connors, a Democrat, to chair Gov. Baker's campaign". masslive. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  23. ^ McAllaster, Chloe (2018-10-12). "BC Alum Jack Connors Jr. Honored with Award for Inspired Leadership". The Heights. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  24. ^ "The day Jack Connors took Tom Menino for a ride". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  25. ^ "Appreciation: Jack Connors was a quiet hero of Boston". Boston Herald. 2024-07-23. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  26. ^ "Jack and Eileen Connors to be Honored at the 2024 Jesuit Gala". USA East Province. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  27. ^ a b Haynes, Veronica (2024-07-23). "Longtime Boston philanthropist Jack Connors dies after cancer battle". WCVB. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
  28. ^ "Governor Healey Issues Statement on Jack Connors".