Peter was born in Portland, Maine, the son of Vincent James and Anita (Delcourt) Connors.
He is survived by his beloved wife, April H. Connors; a son, James Vincent Connors; stepdaughter, Melissa A. Fuller; two grandchildren, Kobe and Madison; one sister, Venita Connors Lowell and brother-in-law, David Lowell; a niece, Erin Lowell Martinez and her family. Peter leaves behind many aunts, uncles, and cousins from Maine to Massachusetts, through Texas and Washington state. Peter was predeceased by his parents: Vincent and Anita, his nephew, Andrew Lowell
Peter graduated from Westbrook High ’72, then the University in New Hampshire with a B.S. degree in chemistry. While at UNH, Peter was recruited by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to join the commissioned officers corp. He trained for four months at the Merchant Marine Academy at King’s Point, N.Y. His first ships were the Rude and Heck, a 90-foot ship in charge of underwater mapping from Galveston,Texas to the Gulf of Maine. During this time he received his Master Dive License.
After 2 1/2 years of diving for NOAA and having obtained his private pilot’s license Peter transferred into NOAA Aeronautical Branch. This involved traveling the country surveying airports and their obstructions. After two years, he was transferred to Washington, D.C. to obtain various instrument ratings, a commercial pilot’s license, and a multi-engine rating license. He next flew all over the U.S. doing flight edit, comparing aeronautical charts and actual land areas for remapping purposes.
Peter also spent a lot of time in Alaska, mapping by aerial flight patterns.
He was next assigned to Miami International Airport and the U.S. Hurricane Center.
His work there was helping forecast accurate weather regarding “real time” hurricane conditions. A few years prior to retiring, NOAA suggested that Peter go back to college. He received his master’s degree in surveying and engineering from the University of Maine-Orono. He later completed his course work for his Ph.D. at UMO studying computer programming.
While in the NOAA Corp., Peter received The Leo O. Colbert Medal for recognition of his outstanding contribution to precise aircraft navigation through his integration of the Global Positioning System and digital mapping display systems.
After 21 years of service to his country, Commander Connors retired from NOAA.
His hobbies and interests were fishing, boating, skiing, golfing, baseball as well as traveling around the world. Peter played in an Orioles Fantasy Camp for three different years in Florida and he traveled to Cooperstown, N.Y., for many reunion games. Here he met many players that became family who stayed connected through the years.
Peter’s undying love for baseball led him to a local team called the Dodgers. He played with them for several years. Later he became an umpire, officiating at various levels, in and around the central and coastal area.
Visiting hours will be held on Friday, Jan. 23, 2015, from 4 to 7 p.m. at David E. Desmond Home at 638 High St., Bath, Maine 04530.
A graveside military service celebrating Peter’s life will be held later in the spring, with advanced notification.
In lieu of flowers, if you would like to make a memorial donation in Peter’s name, his charity of choice would be: Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF), 1250 Fourth St., Santa Monica, CA 90401.
To share your thoughts and condolences with the family, please visit www.desmondfuneralhomes.com.
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