Longtime Firestone marketing executive Michael Connor of Akron, Ohio, and Vero Beach, Fla., passed away on July 12, 2014, after a short illness. He was born on April 11, 1933, in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.
He earned a journalism degree from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, attending on a Naval ROTC scholarship, and upon graduation was commissioned in the United States Marine Corps.
After the Marine Corps, he returned to Akron and joined The Firestone Tire & Rubber Co., where he spent the next 34 years in the areas of advertising, marketing and public relations, eventually retiring as vice president of marketing services.
His family says that throughout his career, he could be found at race tracks, golf courses and bowling alleys promoting Firestone's active leadership role in sports marketing.
In addition to his wife, Patti, he is survived by three children, Christopher Connor, Tricia Connor Selio Arnold and Colleen Connor Coyne.
Calling hours take place July 15, 2014, at Hummel Funeral Home, 500 E. Exchange St. in Akron from 2-4 p.m. and from 6-8 p.m. Funeral services take place July 16 at St. Hilary Catholic Church, 2750 W. Market St., Fairlawn, Ohio, at 9:30 a.m.
