Former AOA President, OGS advocate, Vic Connors passes

Former American Optometric Association president and board of trustees’ member Victor J. Connors, OD, passed away on Monday. He was a native of Wonewoc, WI.

Connors was one of the driving forces behind the establishment of Optometry Giving Sight in the US, serving as both chair and CEO for many years, according to Clive Miller, CEO, Optometry Giving Sight. He also served on the OGS Global Board for 7 years.

“He was one of the first Chairman’s Club members and through his practice, has remained one of our strongest supporters," Miller added. "We were delighted to honor Vic with our Outstanding Achievement Award in 2011 and Isthmus Eye Care was our Practice of the Year in 2013."

Victor J. Connors

Miller spoke about Connors' born leadership ability. In his former presidential role at AOA, Connors was successful in soliciting their formal endorsement of Optometry Giving Sight in 2006.

He was also instrumental, along with the late Professor Brien Holden, in creating the strong and defining partnership between Vision Source and OGS, Miller continued.

“His presidency of the World Council of Optometry gave him a passion and commitment for promoting the development of optometry around the world and this proved invaluable as we prioritized funding for the first Schools of Optometry in Malawi and Mozambique, in partnership with Brien Holden Vision Institute,” Miller said.

“Even in retirement, Vic continued to champion support for Optometry Giving Sight, and over the past few years we have been delighted to get to know and work with other members of the family, including his son Colin,” he continued.

“I last saw Vic in San Antonio at this year’s Vision Source Exchange. He was excited to be taking up a new role as president of the World Optometry Foundation and was keen to start planning how we could work together again,” Miller concluded.

Those who had the pleasure of knowing him will miss, "his great passion for life, towering presence and incredible commitment to ensuring that all people in the world have the opportunity to access affordable vision care delivered by a degree-trained optometrist," Miller said.