Francis "Frank" Pius Connor

Francis Pius “Frank” Connor, 70, of Southport, NC passed away on Sunday, March 8, 2026, in the Lower Cape Fear Life Care Center following a time of declining health.

Frank was born in Dublin, Ireland on March 10, 1955, and was one of seven children born to the late Patrick and Elizabeth (Henderson) Connor. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother-in-law, Joe Wynne.

Frank worked and retired as the Registrar at the University of St. Francis in Ft. Wayne IN in 2020. In his retirement, he enjoyed learning about aviation and the local history of North Carolina, following soccer, the Indianapolis Colts and Notre Dame sports, Irish music and dancing, and watching the large cargo ships navigate the Cape Fear River. He enjoyed traveling back to Ireland to visit with his siblings and spending time with his granddaughter in Indiana.

Surviving are his wife, Mindy H. Connor; his daughter, Erin Thomas and husband Nathan of Ft. Wayne, Indiana; a granddaughter, Kellsie Thomas; four brothers, Thomas “Tommy” Connor, Patrick “Paddy” Connor and wife Marie, Joseph “Joe” Connor and wife Imelda, Bernard “Ben” Connor; and two sisters, Elizabeth “Betty” Wynne, Josephine “Josie” Carr and husband Pius all of Ireland; and several nieces, nephews and other extended family members.

A celebration of life service will be conducted on Wednesday, July 1st, 2026, at 4:00 PM, at Hockemeyer and Miller Funeral Home, Fort Wayne, IN. 

The family respectfully requests that donations be made in his name to the St. Francis Fund, a scholarship that helps to maintain internships, tutoring, counseling services, laboratory equipment, and financial aid to undergraduate students. Donations can be made here, through the St. Francis website.

Online condolences are encouraged and may be sent to the family at www.fulwoodfuneralservice.com