HOLLISTON, Mass. — James P. “Jim” Connors, CHESP, vice president of the American Society for Healthcare Environmental Services (ASHES) board of directors, died Sunday after a battle with pancreatic cancer, ASHES reports.
Connors, 61, was the director of environmental/textile services at Rhode Island Hospital and The Miriam Hospital, both in Providence, R.I.
“Jim dedicated his professional career to the ASHES organization and to the pursuit of excellence in healthcare environmental and textile services for over 35 years,” Patti Costello, ASHES executive director, said Monday in a statement. “He served with integrity, dignity and honor and was an extraordinary leader, motivator, educator and selfless mentor.”
Connors had been recognized with every ASHES honor, including its highest — the Phoenix Award — as well as the James Wolfbrandt Mentor award and, most recently, the Lifetime Achievement award.
“There was nothing that Jim Connors had not done for the love of ASHES members, the organization and for the profession of healthcare environmental and textile services,” Costello says. “Jim has left an enormous imprint on the hearts of the membership and all those whose lives he touched.”American Laundry News readers may remember Connors from an April 2000 article that featured Lifespan Health System’s then-new consolidated laundry at Rhode Island Hospital.
Surviving Connors are his wife of 33 years, Maryellen; three sons, Timothy, David and Mark; a brother, Joseph Connors; and a sister, Gail Horsefield. A sister, Joan Hawkins, preceded him in death in 2006.
Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, May 9, at the Chesmore Funeral Home of Holliston, 854 Washington St. (Route 16). A funeral Mass will be 10 a.m. Thursday, May 10, at the St. Mary’s Church of Holliston.
Donations in Connors’ memory may be sent to St. Mary’s Church, 8 Church St., Holliston, MA 01746, or to Rhode Island Hospital, 593 Eddy St., Providence, RI 02903.
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