He spent the next 2 hours speaking personally with almost every one of the 350 at-risk inner city youths who attended the camp ($5/week!). This man had a heart-to-heart talk with all these kids in the most low-key fashion, and out of sight from most everyone.

During the closing ceremony for the campers, it was announced that the centerpiece of the entire camp, the Great Hall, was to be known hereafter, as The Connors Great Hall. Just one more great tribute to a great man.

One final note: Jack is, also, one of the funniest guys you’ll ever encounter.

Didn’t notice it before . . . quite clever.

It was during one of the paddle rallies near the water that I saw a figure in the distance. The sun was bright and two features were glowing in the light: silver hair and fluourescent pink bathing shorts. As the man drew closer, I could make out exactly who it was: the legendary Jack Connors – who’s mythical stories had constantly circulated around the advertising department of BC during my four years there.

He walked right up to me and I froze, doe-eyed. My jaw dropped. And then Jack began peppering me with social needs-assessment questions: “Still in school? Just graduated? BC? How did you like the mods? How was Tom Brokaw as a commencement speaker? The Nelson’s are my neighbors here on the Cape, how do you know them? Are you having a good time?…”

I answered the questions as best I could, but was nowhere sharp enough to ask Mr. Connors how he was doing, and how his life was going. Not to mention that I would give my left arm to work at his agency.

So at the end of the day, I borrowed a pen and piece of paper from my girlfriend and wrote a note to Jack, mentioning that I’d like to visit his offices. I left the note inside the screen door of his house in East Dennis, went back to Harwichport where I was staying for the Summer, and waited.

Three days later I received a call from Julie Joyce inviting me to the new Hancock Building in Boston. I couldn’t believe it. He had actually responded to my letter. The day I visited, I spoke with four different people about ad strategy, media buying, you name it. In the end, there was no entry-level job for me, thanks to a national recession, but I’ve always remembered Jack’s generosity to help a helpless 22 year-old learn something new about the world of advertising.

Now, sixteen years later, after forays in non-profit fundraising and ivy league publishing in Boston, I sit with a new job offer in my lap: to head up ad sales for a small golf marketing company – on Cape Cod.

Hmm. After recounting that whirlwind day when I actually got to meet Jack Connors, I wonder if I should accept the position. Of course, the answer to that question will undoubtably be yes.

Thank you, Mr. Connors. Your reputation preceeded you, your questions were stunning, and two minutes in your presence in 1990 are about to inspire a man’s professional career. And I promise, when we meet again, I’ll be able to ask you a question or two…

All the best,

Phil Rectra
BC ‘90

Steve and I met at Hill, Holliday in 1990. We began dating as a result of the regular Wednesday night Media League softball game (and the requisite Mudhen cocktail hour afterward at the Bus Stop). We are but one of MANY HHCC couples Jack has (unknowingly) brought together over the years, and I guess you could say he literally changed our lives. We’ve been happily married since 1994.

Our years at Hill, Holliday still ring as some of the happiest we’ve known — don’t get us wrong — we worked HARD — everyone did. But we did so with a sense of pride. The people — family, really — are those who, no matter how many years pass, we can pick up a conversation with as if we were just speaking last week.

Jack simply WAS Hill, Holliday to us — his generosity and hospitality were, and I’m sure still are, incredibly meaningful and genuine. And we can say without reservation, that Jack’s true legacy is in fact his wonderful family, who we know to be as selfless (and full of that Irish spirit) as he is.

Jack — all the best in this new phase of your life. Please know that there are so many like us who — but for the Grace of Jack — have benefitted so much!

All our love — Steve and Cathy (Zez) Watson

Not long after that, Fr. Neenan phones me to let me know that I should expect a call soon from his “friend” at Hill Holliday. And the next thing I know, Jack Connors is on the other line asking me what I’d like to do at his company.

Jack gave me my start in this great business of ours. And in the short time that I was fortunate enough to be part of Hill Holliday, my favorite memory remains finally meeting Jack Connors in person. It’s common knowledge that he’s a very, very busy man, so it’s no surprise that when I finally was able to meet him in person, he was actually stepping out of meeting and taking 5 minutes just to do so. And what made it more memorable for me was that Jack actually seemed more excited to meet me than I was to meet him. And believe me, I was pretty damn excited.

Since then, that meeting with Jack became the first in–what I hope to continue to be–a long line of introductions to other such great people in this industry. But I’ll always remember that one. Because that’s what kicked it all off. And that’s the kind of impression Jack Connors makes.

Thanks, Jack.

- Pope Carlos
Art Director, Omnicom Group

And a nice reminder that Jack’s personality and character are very much reflected in the caliber of the people he has hired throughout the years.

Thank you, Jack.

Bob Hirsch
Founder, Barbecue Bob’s of Rhode Island