Village Independent Democrats and Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club Celebrate the Life of Tom Connor who died at age 88

Tom Connor, longtime member of the Village Independent Democrats and of the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club passed-away on Thursday, August 6th.  A 20-year member of Greenwich House, Center on the Square, and its Advisory Council President for 15 years, Tom also served as a Board Member on Community Board 2 Manhattan and on numerous Committees.  He was known for his focus on the disabled, gay and senior communities, and in most cases an expert on those issues. 

Allen Roskoff, President of the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club offers this condolence: “Part of Tom's legacy is that he was gay and proud at an early age when few people were, thus he served as a role model. Tom stood up for his and the community’s rights always. Tom was a solid progressive and he deserved to be called one. Tom promoted night life and stood up to a hostile community board whose anti nightlife members belittled him for doing so. Tom's smile and good nature worked its way through a room. Our members will certainly miss Tom.”

Tom Connor at VID Executive Committee election night, January 2015.

David Siffert, President of the Village Independent Democrats has this to say about Tom: "Heartbroken to hear about Tom's passing. He was such a sweet, loyal, and kind person, totally soft-spoken. But boy was he unafraid to piss people off! He was opinionated, and he never backed down. If he felt like something was wrong or unfair, he made sure everyone knew about it. Tom did not play politics. You never had to wonder about his motives. He was gay back when that wasn't a safe thing to be. He was one of the people who literally fought for the rights we take for granted now. And while he may have aged physically, he never got old spiritually. Even in his 80s, he was a reliable crusader for nightlife in the Village, to make sure the Village kept its character. His passion came through quite clearly even with his soft, mild-sounding voice. Mischievous, funny, and unforgettable."“

NYC Council Speaker Corey Johnson said: "With tenacity, strength and humor, Tom Connor served our community for many years. Working alongside him was an honor an privilege. Tom gave a voice to people who otherwise may not have been heard - and he made sure they were heard. Tom’s memory will live on in the strong legacy he left behind.”

Tom Connor, Kathy Slawinski and Scott Caplan at a Jim Owles Awards Reception, November, 2018.

“Tom was involved with the day-to-day operations of our senior center, always there to assist seniors on a variety of issues, including social action. He was a strong advocate for senior’s rights.  Tom always maintained an active role with the Department for the Aging, and their involvement with the senior centers,” said Laura Marceca Senior Center Administrative Coordinator at Greenwich House.

For Dr. Shirley Smith, a VID member and CB#2 Board Member, “Tom was a friend whose objectivity and sense of fairness to both applicants and neighbors will be missed on the Community Board’s SLA Committee.”

Kathy Slawinski recalls, “Tom was a good friend for at least eight years.  We went out after meetings for a drink and a bite, and an opportunity to gossip about the club and politics.  The Wine Cellar on 8th Street eventually became our haven.  When he was stronger, we went out to events together–he was great company.  In recent years, after a series of misadventures, he became more debilitated, but we were definitely in touch.  I’m still feeling the urge to call him and discuss the latest news and the latest gossip.  He also enjoyed voicing his own opinions on the news of the day, and I miss that.”

Greenwich House Senior Center will host a memorial on September 23 at 7pm.  Contact Laura Marceca if you would like to speak. 

It has been suggest that friends can make a donation to SAGE (Seniors Active in a Gay Environment) and or Greenwich House Senior Center in his honor.  

The Village Independent Democrats and Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club will donate equally to both Greenwich House and Sage.