Rev. Robert J. Conner | Penndel church pastor, 82

The Rev. Robert J. Conner, 82, pastor emeritus of Our Lady of Grace Church in Penndel, died of a stroke Sunday at Villa St. Joseph in Darby.

Father Conner headed Our Lady of Grace parish for 13 years before retiring in 1999. Previously, he had been pastor for nine years at St. John Fisher Church in Boothwyn.

He was an effective administrator, said Bernice Fesniak, parish secretary at Our Lady of Grace. He was a good listener and tried to be accommodating. His parish family came first, she said, and the people loved him, especially the children.

A graduate of Northeast Catholic High School, Father Conner studied for the priesthood at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood and was ordained in 1949. Before becoming pastor, he was an assistant pastor at churches in Philadelphia, Delaware County, and Pottsville, Pa.

He enjoyed travel, playing the piano, tennis, and the Phillies.

Father Conner is survived by sisters Mary Smyth and Patricia McMahon, and nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Mass will be said at 11 a.m. today at Our Lady of Grace Church, 225 Bellevue Ave., Penndel. Friends may call from 9 a.m. Burial will be in the parish cemetery.