Mike Connors — for 30 years one of Westport’s best-known bartenders, at the Black Duck, then at Bogey’s and most recently at Partner’s Cafe, both in Norwalk — died this morning.
Connors — universally called “Wolfie” — apparently suffered a heart attack.
It took a lot to take down Wolfie. He graduated from Staples High School in 1978, where he had a storied football career. He went on to play at Syracuse University, then returned home and served as an assistant coach at his alma mater.
Wolfie was the perfect bartender. He knew everyone, welcomed everyone, talked to everyone. Though he worked for the past couple of years one town over, and lived in Stratford, his big heart was always in Westport.
Details on services have not yet been announced.
Mike “Wolfie” Connors
very sad…
So sad
RIP Wolfie. Too young too nice
Penny and I are in absolute shock. We miss you our dear friend.
He will surely be missed.
He coached my Babe Ruth baseball team with his Dad and his brother Kevin. Brave heart. Big heart. Big loss. Was looking forward to order a coke from him sometime soon. RIP
Wolfie had the biggest heart! He adored his family and always volunteered for amazing causes in town like Phoebe Phriends. He will be missed!!
Prayers and Strength to everyone suffering from this tragic loss of a Great friend.
Oh how sad, he was a great guy!
RIP Mike, you were a friend to all a wonderful man. We will miss you😔
I liked Wolfie a lot. Never even knew his actual name. That’s a damn shame.
Such terribly sad news. Wolfie was an incredible man/bartender. U will be missed. RIP Wolfie…..💔
Sad sad sad news I cannot believe this ……. big Mike big heart big soul …….huge loss …..m y heart goes out to your family …..
So sad….
RIP, Wolfie…Bogey’s staff/clientele will miss you greatly…
So shocked and saddened by this news. Way too soon. Thoughts and prayers to Mike’s family. Memory eternal.
R.I.P. Mike. Prayers going up for his family.
A piece of me goes with you my friend…RIP
Michael, thanks for the memories, OOH the stories we could tell, rest in peace my friend!!
You’re with the other angels that have gone too soon Wolfie. So very sad to hear of your passing my friend. ✌❤S.R.Doyle
I’m so sad- haven’t seen you in years but always think fondly of you, Mike, Wolfie. Condolences and best wishes to your family; what a great guy!!!
My thoughts, prayers and love are with his dear wife, Kelly, and their families. This is such a shock. The twinkle in Mike’s eye, and his permanent smile will always be remembered…and how he loved his family. We’ve lost a gem.
Coach was a great man, mentor, coach and friend. He will truly be missed, but never forgotten. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. Much love Coach Conners may you Rest In Peace.
This makes me so incredibly sad. Go Cuse Wolfie! RIP.
Certainly a better man than Dan Woog…..oh the things Wolfie said about the D-man….ironic how you paid tribute to him !!! Justice served ! You have about 50 of us laughing right now !
May you Rest In Peace Mike !!!! You will be missed….
Rest in Peace Mike… fond memories…
Big loss for Westport. rest in peace Mike
So sorry to hear this. Wolfie was a great guy and a Westport icon. You will be missed Mike.
RIP, BIG FELLA !! WE WILL MISS YOU 🙁
Much too soon, Mike. We will miss you!
Great times at the Duck. RIP Wolfie.
Thank you Michael for all the great times we all had together!! You will be missed, but never forgotten my friend
I remember when you arrived a Bedford Junior. Bigger than life itself.
My sincere condolences to the family.
Lucky to have known you……Peace be with you and your family!
Oh My God!!!!!! Mike was the greatest!!!!! Always treated the ladies with the greatest respect. Will miss him terribly. Rest in Peace Mike!!!!
You will be missed, but never forgotten my friend
Thanks for being a part of so many lives. You will truly be missed. RIP my friend
Way back when, when I was a very young, very scrawny cop, I was trying to hang on to three or four car thieves on the south side of the Saugatuck RR station. Help was enroute but still several minutes away. And then Wolfie rolled up. “Hey Dave you need a hand?” Problem solved. We used to laugh about the story all the time. Thanks for the backup Mike. RIP old buddy..
RIP Sweet, kind Wolfie. YOU are what made the Duck great and welcoming and will truly be missed. (((((Wolfie)))))
Truly crushed, I love you brother, and Thank you !
RIP Wolfie. I was shocked and saddened to hear this. My condolences to his family.
He was truly larger than life…RIP Coach, I’ll never forget you.
I am so sorry to hear this sad news. Everyone who met him, loved him.
So sad to hear this terrible news, but, like the rest of us, I will always consider myself blessed to have known Wolfie. We worked together as bartenders at Mario’s Place for a number of years. Among the million laughs we had I’ll share one of my favorite typical off-the-cuff Wolfie comments. We were off duty hanging around the bar, a hand full of us, and of course Wolfie was holding court with one hilarious comment after another, faces red with laughter, eyes watering, can barely catch our breath, and someone interjects “where do you come up with this stuff?” Without hesitation, and in his merry boisterous way, Wolfie exclaimed “I don’t know, but when I die, I hope I come back as ME!” That of course brought down the house! Well Wolfie, my old and dear friend, I pray you come back as you. God bless you and thanks for the countless good times and memories!
So many memories of you and your warm smile and quick wit. Will miss you and think of you often.
Mike, you were my true blue friend, larger than life, I am a better person for having you as my dear friend.
To have known Mike ” priceless” to have been his friend “really priceless” a remarkable and loveable Big Teddybear, beyond sad, he will truely be missed, God Bless you Mike!
So very sad. RIP Mike.
I can remember the first time we met at BJHS. What great times we had over the years! I am sure we will meet again my friend. RIP
So sad to hear this – Such a huge loss! RIP Wolfie!
Del and Maria Gomes, Mike was a warm and irresistible character for all seasons. We shall all raise a glass in his memory. RIP.
RIP Wolfie. So many return trips to my home town were for tough, not-very-fun grown-up reasons. But walking into the Duck and getting a Wolfie greeting and bear hug would be a respite, instantly feeling “you’re home.” One of a kind, we’ll all miss you.
Good bye my old friend. You were taken way too soon, will miss knowing that I could bump into you in the strangest places. My heart goes out to your family. On to your next adventure…
Tough as nails and a great big heart. He will be missed….
Mike, you had a larger than life smile and laugh which always filled the room. Hard to believe you are gone for sure. My condolences to his family and all the gang down a the Duck.
Wolfie will always have a special place in our hearts.
What sad, sad news. Mike was the nicest guy. He was nice to EVERYONE. And he remembered everyone. He was kind to all. A gentle, fun, friendly guy. I am so sorry for his loss.
love ya mike,, you will be missed by many,, RIP buddy