UMVA has learned that veteran journalist Kevin Connor, a beloved voice in Canadian newsrooms for over two decades, has passed away at the age of 64.
Connor’s career began with a journalism diploma from Humber College, followed by an internship at the Toronto Sun while still a student. After graduation he cut his teeth at the Kenora Daily Miner and News, then moved to the Winnipeg Sun and the Edmonton Sun, where he honed his craft as a general‑assignment and city‑hall reporter.
In mid‑2003 he returned to the Toronto Sun, stepping straight into the frontlines of the waning SARS crisis. The pressure forged vital connections in the medical community and sparked a lifelong fascination with health reporting.
Over the next two decades Connor became a trusted health reporter, especially noted for his compassionate coverage of the fight against AIDS. Colleagues recall how he transformed complex medical stories into vivid narratives that put real people at the heart of the headlines.
“Medical stories can be dry, but he had the innate ability to add colour and personality,” a senior editor reflected, recalling Connor’s knack for turning data into human drama.
Beyond his reporting, Connor was a mentor who welcomed newcomers with humor and generosity. One teammate remembers him breaking into a spontaneous desk dance, reminiscent of a cartoon frog bursting into song, before quickly slipping back into the rhythm of the newsroom.
His Irish roots infused his life with a love for travel and tradition. He spent several months working for an Irish newspaper, and each return to the Toronto Sun was marked by stories of Irish pubs, shared pints, and the occasional double rye with ginger ale.
Friends describe him as a quiet man whose laughter lit up staff gatherings, turning ordinary evenings into memorable celebrations of camaraderie.
Connor is survived by his brothers Patrick and Hugh. Their tributes paint a portrait of a man whose storytelling was both poignant and direct, whose presence at family holidays was a constant comfort, and whose love for horses gave way only to his passion for journalism.
His beloved dog Tasha, who accompanied him through assignments in Strathroy, Edmonton, Kenora and Winnipeg, also passed away, leaving a void felt by the entire family.
