Sgt. Francis James Connors (USMC Ret.), 68, of Bartlett, N.H., passed away Monday, May 15, 2017, at Memorial Hospital in North Conway after a lengthy battle with cancer. Francis was born on May 9, 1949, in Brooklyn, N.Y., the son of the late Francis John and Helen (Ritter) Connors.

Francis grew up in Bristol, where he resided for most of his life working as Assistant Harbormaster and a Reserve Police Officer for the Town of Bristol. Francis served his country in the United States Marine Corps, serving in Vietnam from 1968-69, a member of the 1st Marine Corps Division, Delta 17.

Francis enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle, spending time with his family, especially his children and grandchildren, and playing with his cat, Journey, whom he often referred to as “his little girl.”

Members of the family include his wife Karen S. Connors of Bartlett, N.H.; son Eli F. Connors and wife Kristen of New Canaan, Conn.; daughters Shannon Kikendall and husband Ryan of Palm Bay, Fla., Sandra Connors of Port Saint Lucy, Fla., and Michelle Zuckerman and husband Adam of Pawtucket, RI; grandchildren Surrette, Skylah, Ethan, Allison, Korbin, Gavin, Connor, Shania and Zachary; brother John Connors; and sisters Deborah Williams and Barbara Evers. He was predeceased by a sister, Anna Borges.

Visitation will be held at the Bryant Funeral Home, 1 Promenade St., Gorham, N.H., from 2-4 pm Thursday May 18, with a service to follow at 4 pm in the funeral home. Interment will be held at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery, Boscawen, N.H., on Friday May 19, at 1:30pm.

In lieu of flowers, Francis requested donations in his memory to help homeless veterans, be made to New England Center & Home for Veterans, PO Box 845257, Boston, MA 02284-5257, or online at www.nechv.org/give.  Messages of condolence may be left online at www.bryantfuneralhome.net.