Scranton residents pay respect to former mayor Jimmy Connors

SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Saying goodbye to a former Scranton Mayor, hundreds are expected to pay their respects to Jimmy Connors.

Jimmy Connors died unexpectedly last Wednesday , he was just 77 years old. This evening, the public is invited to attend a viewing at St. Peter’s Cathedral to pay their respects.

Connors served as mayor for three terms, from 19-90 to 2002, which saw the revitalization of Lackawanna Avenue with the construction of the Steam-Town Mall.

He had a public service career that started in the 1970’s. 28/22 News spoke to a few local lawmakers about his career.

“I imagine that you’re going to see many hundreds of Scrantonians paying their respects as he paid respects to so many during his tenure as mayor and the years since,” stated Mayor Paige Cognetti.

“He actually had a great spirit about public service and about what the people of this area meant to him about a public official. We’re going to miss him and I hope we all have a chance to pay tribute to him,” expressed Senator Bob Casey.

The city laid a floral arrangement at Connors Park on the 500 block of Orchard Street over the weekend.

There is also a tribute to Connors at City Hall with his portrait and a guest book people can sign during regular business hours.

A viewing just began at Saint Peter’s Cathedral on Wyoming Avenue from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. The funeral will follow Tuesday morning at 9:30 a.m.

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