Barry Michael Connor

Barry was born in Tampa, Florida, to William Buford and Ruth Cosgrove Connor. The Connors moved to Lakeland, Florida, where Barry enjoyed fishing with his Dad, playing sports, and racing cars with childhood friends that he kept close his entire life. Barry was always good at sports: he pitched for the Dixie Little Boys baseball team at the National Championship Game in 1957. He also lettered in basketball at Lakeland High School.

After graduating from LHS in 1963, he attended the University of Florida where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Building Construction in 1967. That same year, Barry married Patricia Slade, his high school sweetheart. Barry and Patricia had two children. Barry was a loving father, and his children valued his knowledge and guidance.

Barry began his career in construction management with Daniel Construction Company and, in 1977, co-founded Connor-Harben Construction Company, which specialized in commercial projects like the Mandarin Presbyterian Church school building. He later spent many years building custom homes, commercial projects, and many multi family projects. He enjoyed a long career as a general contractor and construction project manager.

For many years, Barry was very active in several adoption support groups that helped adopted children locate and reunite with their birth parents. Through those efforts he was able to locate a brother he didn’t know as a child that he had.

Barry was also passionate about all things automotive, was an avid R.C. aircraft hobbyist, snow skier with his family in Colorado and Utah, and fishing.

In 2005, Barry married Sarah (Sally) Staten in Tampa. They lived in Tampa and Jacksonville until his death. Barry was predeceased by his father, Bill Connor, his mother, Ruth Connor, and his brother, Paul Driver of Tallahassee, FL. He leaves behind his wife, Sally Connor, his son, C. Ryan Connor (Jessica), two wonderful granddaughters, and his daughter, Lindsay Connor O’Brien.

A memorial service will be held on January 7, 2023 at 10:30 am at Episcopal Church of our Savior, 12236 Mandarin Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32223. A reception in the church Great Hall will follow. The family and close friends will then proceed to Oaklawn Cemetery for the inurnment.

In lieu of flowers donations are requested to the American Heart Association or the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation.