Patrick Emmett Connor

Patrick Emmett Connor was lost to us on April 26. We lost a son, father, brother, uncle, teacher, coach, mentor, and friend.

Patrick was born in Boise to Basque and Irish parents. He attended Sacred Heart School and then Bishop Kelly where he played football and ran track.

Patrick attended BSU where he was a member of the debate squad and would ultimately graduate with a degree in mass communication. He would return years later to receive a master’s in Education Administration from BSU.

Following undergrad Patrick took a job as a field photographer and editor at Boise’s KTVB. Some years later he would switch gears to teaching and coaching, which became his lifelong passions. Patrick would then spend the next 20yrs teaching and coaching at both of his alma-maters, Sacred Heart and Bishop Kelly.

While at BK Patrick taught speech, debate, and English while also coaching track and cross-country. He would be a part of, or at the helm of, many state titles. A great mentor and friend throughout his BK years was the late BK administrator, Dr Dave Lachiondo.

Patrick was an accomplished athlete having run many races over a 30yr period, to include 15 Sawtooth Relay’s and 10 Races to Robie Creek. In 2017 Patrick and his brother Sean competed together in a Spartan Obstacle Course race. Pat would walk away with first place in his age group. Later in life Patrick also became a certified Crossfit instructor.

Patrick was a staunch Buffett fan who would attend two concerts with his brother Sean. At one of those Patrick traded his shorts and skivvies for a grass skirt. He would complain it chaffed a bit. Over the years Patrick and Sean would trade Buffett lines in an effort to define the universe. One of Patrick’s favorites was, Trying to reason with Hurricane Season.

Patrick had a deep-seated love of the Stanley area and the Sawtooth wilderness. That love began in the early 70s when his parents had a small place just outside of Stanley. Over a 30yr period he made many the pack-trip into the Sawtooths with his daughters and brother. In the early 80s Patrick’s parents developed a property in the Lowman area where family and friends have spent countless weekends and vacations. There will always be many memories of Patrick sitting by the fire-pit telling stories and playing the music of his cherished Grateful Dead and Bob Dillon .

A proud grandson of Basque immigrants, Patrick lived in the Basque provinces for a year and mastered the Basque language.

Patrick’s greatest joy in life was being a father to his three daughters, whom he called “my princesses.” He loved them deeply and unconditionally.

Patrick is survived by his parents Bob and Anita Connor; daughters Yanire, Jone, and Matea; siblings Sean O’Connor and Suzana Marie; ex-wife Jessica Connor, and a host of nieces and nephews.

Patrick was preceded in death by both sets of grandparents; Frank and Anna Goitia and Robert and Jill Connor.