One of Huntsville’s most well-known musicians passed away on Wednesday after a courageous battle with cancer.
Sean Connon was a constant in the local music scene and also worked in radio for close to three decades. Undoubtedly, he was a community-orientated man. Since his passing, Facebook has been overflowing with photos and farewells to a man who will be greatly missed.
Connon can best be described as a kind and caring man who had a real zest for life. He went out of his way for others and made a lasting impression on almost anyone he met.
“He was an incredibly talented musician,” said his close friend and Huntsville Mayor Scott Aitchison. “He loved music. He loved playing it, listening to it and he encouraged other musicians. I think a lot more live music gets performed because of Sean. He was a big fan of the Algonquin Theatre and the Northern Blues Review… that was his idea. He loved working in radio. He loved living in Huntsville. He loved his kids, he loved his friends. He was always very much full of life.”
Aitchison was lucky enough to make a trip to Ireland almost two years ago with Connon, which was his last.
“We had a fantastic time,” said Aitchison. “It meant a lot to him. Towards the end, he was worried something wasn’t right and that the cancer was back. And it was.”
In talking with other friends and co-workers, it’s evident that he was the kind of guy who was truly passionate about what he did.
He believed that work, particularly radio, should be fun. Karen Broad said one day he showed up in his boat at the dock outside of the radio station on a sunny Friday and the staff all went out for a boat ride together. (Photo courtesy of Karen Broad)
Karen Broad, who worked alongside Connon at The Moose radio station since 2007, said what was so remarkable about him was the relationship he maintained with his two sons, Luke and Shane.
“He had a very unique and really admirable relationship with them. They were truly best friends. He really passed on his love of music to them. He would hang out with them…it’s like they were best friends. It was a very special relationship… and he had one with his wife Cindy as well. He was unique in his passion and work ethic. When he would come into work, we were always upstairs, and you knew when Sean came in the door because he would run up the stairs. He had an energy. He would sit down with you and talk about radio. He loved everything about the business. That tied in with his love for music. He loved local radio, supporting the community by doing all the many fundraisers for the Salvation Army. He raised thousands and thousands through his position at the radio station. He was one of first people to step on stage at the theatre.”
Broad went on to say that Connon had a “long, hard fight” with cancer and battled the disease for many years.
Grant Nickalls said Connon was instrumental in getting him a job at the radio station, and that he he was a huge driving force behind supporting and celebrating local musicians and getting them heard.
“One of my favourite moments with him is when his son went to Ireland and won this big concert put on by Guinness beer. When I interviewed Sean about it he did a live Irish song. He was very excited how he was going back to Ireland to visit his son who was there playing music. “
Jen McCutcheon, traffic manager for cottage country for The Moose, described Connon as being, “kind, friendly and gentle.”
Calling him a mentor and an asset to the local radio station, McCutcheon noted there were many different sides to him.
“I can honestly say in talking with co-workers and past co-workers, there will be lots of radio people coming to Huntsville next week.”
A visitation for Sean Connon will be held at Mitchell Funeral Home, located at 15 High Street, on Monday, January 25 from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Friends and family are also invited to gather at The Mill on Main at 50 Main Street East following the visitation at 4 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Huntsville Hospital Foundation would be greatly appreciated.
It was my pleasure to know and work with Sean whether it was ad campaigns for my clients or putting together the promotional material for the next Blues Review he always had the approach that it had to be FUN. Sean was a true gentleman and will be missed by many. Thanks for the memories! R.I.P.