Many Surf City residents cannot remember a time when Leonard T. Connors was not mayor of this small town on Long Beach Island.

And many cannot remember a time when he wasn’t their 9th District legislator.

Len Connors, who survived the Great Atlantic Storm of 1962 and Superstorm Sandy, died at home last night at 87, surrounded by his family, according to a statement from his son, current 9th District state Senator Christopher J. Connors Jr.

“Words cannot express adequately how profoundly saddened I am by the loss of my father, mentor and best friend,” Connors said. “My father was a man of large stature, both physically, but more importantly in the minds of those who knew him, who possessed a sharp intellect, a tireless work ethic, sound judgment and an unwavering sense of obligation to those who put their trust in him.” 

Connors served as mayor of Surf City for nearly 50 years, from 1966 to 2015.

“At the same time, I take comfort in the knowledge that my father led a remarkable and fulfilled life and left this world with absolutely no regrets,” his son said. “He was a tremendously successful businessman and highly effective public servant who earned the respect of almost all who knew him. My father will be terribly missed by those who knew him and he will be remembered for who he was: a great man.”

Connors served two terms on the Ocean County Board of Freeholders. He was a former director of the National Association of Coastal Mayors and served as a director for the United Way Campaign.

He was first elected to the State Senate in 1981 and served until 2007.

9th District Assemblyman Brian Rumpf, who served with Senator Connors in the State Legislature, said Connors never failed to buck party lines if he had to.

“Always, Len was guided by a moral compass that put people before politics, Rumpf said. “He, therefore, never hesitated to cross party lines or disagree with his own party when it meant acting in the best interest of his constituents.”

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