George Bruce Connor, known lovingly to everyone as Bruce, age 80 years, of Raritan Township, NJ, died peacefully on Thursday, September 15, 2022, at Hunterdon Medical Center, Raritan Township, NJ.

Born in Baltimore, MD, May 17, 1942, son of the late George Jacob and Bertha Carr Connor, Bruce had lived in Raritan Township since 1989, having been raised in Baltimore and living previously in Pittsburg, PA, and Avenel, NJ.

A 1965 graduate of the University of Maryland, Bruce earned his B.S. in Civil Engineering. Professionally, Bruce started his career with Parsons, Brinckerhoff, Quade and Douglas in Pittsburgh, PA, and worked on planning the Pittsburgh subway system. Soon after arriving in Pittsburgh, Uncle Sam (the U.S. Army) called, and Bruce enlisted in the National Guard where he served honorably for 7 years.

In 1968, Bruce left Parsons to work for the Middlesex County Engineers Office in New Jersey, where over a period of 20 years he advanced to the position of Assistant County Engineer.

Following his departure from Middlesex County, Bruce went to work for Edwards and Kelsey as Vice President/Highway Division Manager, and then Regional Manager for New Jersey with Buchart- Horn.

Not able to stay away from government, in 1997, Bruce took the position of County Engineer for Union County. This was followed by a position with the NJ Turnpike Authority in 2003, where his credits include the major expansion of the Garden State Parkway. In all his work positions over the years, Bruce was regarded as a true professional whose knowledge was limitless and whose compassion and friendship was boundless.

A licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in New Jersey, his professional credentials included serving the North/Central NJ Section of ASHE as Treasurer, Vice-President and as President (1994-1995). He was an officer of the State Association of County Engineers, serving as President in 2002, and the North Jersey Branch of Civil Engineers recognized Bruce with the prestigious award of, “Government Engineer of the Year “ in 2001.

If being an engineer was Bruce’s life, the fuel and inspiration for that passion came from his desire to ensure his family was loved and well cared for in all regards. It was at the University of Maryland where Bruce, a sophomore, would meet his future wife, a freshman, Ms. Arline Ivanitski.

The pair would meet during a chance encounter of the Newman Catholic Student Association, where Rev. Tepe, the clergy in charge of the group, randomly asked the pair to go pick up some items for the upcoming Easter celebration; their love was instant, and would be grounded on a foundation of faith, hope and love that would guide them for the next fifty-seven years.

Marrying at St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Carteret, NJ, on August 21, 1965, after a New Year’s Eve proposal, the couple would be blessed with three sons, Scott, Doug and Jeff, who would bring wonderful spouses and grandchildren into their lives, all of whom have enriched their souls daily.

With a passion for reading, Bruce also loved to spend time with family and friends at the couples second home at the beach in Lewes, DE. From swimming in the ocean, to building sandcastles with his grandchildren, “Bruce the Shark” or “Sharky” as he was lovingly referred to by his family, made beach time the best time!

Bruce and Arline’s other passion was traveling. They enjoyed cruises and tours of many of the European countries, but one of Bruce’s favorite trips was a vacation to visit many of the State Parks across the United States. He spoke of it often and marveled at the beautiful country we live in.

A longtime communicant of St. Magdalen Church, Flemington, NJ, Bruce’s faith provided a comfort to him as he navigated the latter years of his life. His courage and fortitude in facing each new dawn, as well as his honesty and integrity, is the legacy he will pass down to the future generations. It is said in 2 Timothy 4:7-8, I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. Rest easy Bruce and enjoy the crown that you have truly earned.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother-in-law, Frank Ivanitski.

Surviving is his beloved wife, Arline; his sons and daughters-in-law, Scott and Tara Connor, Douglas and Beth Connor, and Jeffrey Connor and Patricia Weston; his four grandchildren, Tyler, Gunner, Ashleigh, and Rachel; his brother, James Fenwick Connor; his sister-in-law, Linda Ivanitski; a niece, Amy Ivanitski; a nephew, Lee Ivanitski; several extended family members; and many dear friends.

Bruce will lie in repose on Thursday, September 22, 2022, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ.

A Mass of Christian Burial celebrated by Rev. James DeFillipps will take place on Friday, September 23, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Magdalen Church, 105 Mine Street, Flemington, NJ. Everyone is encouraged to meet directly at the Church on Friday morning beginning at 10:15 a.m. Kindly follow the instructions of the Wright & Ford Care Team Family Ambassadors upon arrival.

Interment will follow mass in the family plot at Immaculate Conception Cemetery, 316 Old Allerton Road, Annandale, NJ, and to which all are welcome.

You are encouraged to visit Bruce’s permanent life celebration site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a candle of hope, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of his life.

Memorial contributions in his honor may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, via mail to Memorial Giving, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or online by clicking HERE.

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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”

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