Rick Connors

Richard was born, raised and educated in Auburn, New York. He began his naval career in 1963 and served in the United States Navy and Naval Reserve for seven years, being honorably discharged in 1970 as a Gunners Mate 2nd Class. In 1977, Rick joined the New York National Guard (1st of the 108th), where he served as Company Clerk and Supply Sergeant for five years. In 1982, Rick transferred to the Army Reserves and for 14 years served as a Non-Commission Officer Instructor and a Training NCO. He retired as a G-7 SFC after 26 years of military service in 1997. Throughout his years of service to his country, Rick earned over 15 medals, along with numerous ribbons and commendations from his time served in the military. He is a lifetime member of the DAV Coonley-Nojaim Memorial Chapter #30. Rick is also a member of the American Legion Seeley B. Parish Post 457, the Retired Enlisted Association, the U.S.S. Forrest Sherman DD931 Foundation, and the United Steel Workers Union #3298. Rick retired from Gould Pumps in Seneca Falls where he currently resides with his wife Joanne, and has four children and seven grandchildren. Rick currently serves as President of the Sampson Veterans Memorial Cemetery which is currently under construction at the former Sampson Navy and Air Force Training Base in Romulus, New York.