‘Mr. Brownsville Jr.’ honored with parade
Photos courtesy of Herb Mitchell
Fire trucks lined the streets of Brownsville during a Nov. 4 parade in honor of Jackie Conner.
Photos courtesy of Herb Mitchell
Jackie Conner of Brownsville took center stage following a Nov. 4 parade held in his honor.
Courtesy of Herb Mitchell
Brownsville resident Jackie Conner served as the grand marshal during a Nov. 4 parade in his honor.
Photos: courtesy of Herb Mitchell
Jackie Conner, center, rides atop a fire truck during a Nov. 4 parade held in his honor.
Those who live in Brownsville likely know Jackie Conner.
鈥淗e鈥檚 a Brownsville fixture. He鈥檚 like Kennywood Day and Fiddles鈥� hotdogs,鈥� South Brownsville Volunteer Fire Company Chief Ron Barry said. 鈥淚f Frank Ricco is 鈥楳r. Brownsville,鈥� Jackie is 鈥楳r. Brownsville Jr.,鈥� and he鈥檚 the best goodwill ambassador we have.鈥�
Conner, 57, dreamed of being a firefighter, but was unable to do so. However, he鈥檚 known to fire departments throughout the region as their biggest supporter and unofficial mascot, so when he made a special request, they answered the call in a big way.
鈥淚 grew up with Jackie, and he鈥檚 always been a huge fan of the fire department. When I became chief, he鈥檇 come to me all the time asking how he could help. He comes to bingo and all our events, and we all take turns taking him to the local parades; so, we all look after him,鈥� Barry said.
Following a string of hospital visits, Conner鈥檚 sister, Joyce Hampton, recorded a video of him recovering from surgery in October. When she asked what he wanted most in the world, he said, 鈥渁 big parade鈥� and listed all the fire departments he wanted in attendance. His wish came true Nov. 4, when hundreds of people packed downtown Brownsville for Jackie Conner Day.
鈥淚 posted the video at 10 p.m. on a Saturday night about two weeks ago, and my phone never stopped ringing until the parade was over. Everyone wanted to know how they could help, what they could do. That鈥檚 one good thing about social media 鈥� when it works well, you reach a lot of people,鈥� Barry said. 鈥淚 reached out to Chief Richard Black and asked, 鈥楧o you think we can have a little parade for Jackie?鈥� He said, 鈥楢bsolutely not. He鈥檚 going to get a big one. A huge one. He deserves it.'鈥�
Black, of neighboring Brownsville Fire Company No. 1, joined forces with Hampton; Conner鈥檚 brother, Barry Miller; and Brownsville Mayor Ross Swords to plan the perfect parade, with Conner serving as grand marshal. More than 70 fire trucks from 37 fire departments, the Brownsville Junior/Senior High School Marching Band, local businesses and nonprofit organizations, and countless people who know and love Conner lined the streets for the festivities.
鈥淚鈥檝e lived in Brownsville my whole life, and that was the biggest parade I ever remember us having. We used to have some big ones, but nothing like this. It was just overwhelming. Everybody came out for Jackie,鈥� Barry said. 鈥淢y truck was last in the parade, so I used the (public address) system to tell the crowd, 鈥業t鈥檚 just like the old days,鈥� and everyone cheered, because they remember how things used to be. It brought a tear to your eye just being there.鈥�
Following the parade, Conner addressed the crowd from center stage at the downtown amphitheater. Because he named the LaBelle Fire Department first on his guest list, the station gifted him with a custom fire helmet and jacket. He also received more than 20 T-shirts from other fire departments, along with gifts and Jackie Conner Day proclamations from state and local legislators, businesses and more.
Many revelers wore t-shirts bearing the slogan, 鈥淲e got your back, Jack,鈥� and handmade signs bore sentiments like, 鈥淏rownsville loves you, Jackie!鈥� Conner wasn鈥檛 shy about taking the microphone to address the crowd and invite his friends on stage.
鈥淲hen Brownsville hosted the annual Fayette County Firemen鈥檚 Convention in 2021, Jackie asked if he could be grand marshal of the parade, and it broke my heart to have to tell him that we already had one,鈥� Barry said. 鈥淚t was wonderful to see him be the center of attention this time. There鈥檚 hardly a person in this town that doesn鈥檛 know Jack, so he deserves it.鈥�
All in attendance sang and danced along to the Jackie Conner Day theme song, 鈥淧ut a Little Love in Your Heart,鈥� by Al Green and Annie Lennox. Hotdogs, beverages and other refreshments were donated by businesses and citizens for the occasion. A meet-and-greet with the guest of honor saw hundreds take photos with Conner, and the festivities concluded with an oldies dance at the Brownsville Sons of Italy 鈥� Frank Ricco Lodge No. 731.
鈥淗e was out there boogying and having a good time. It was his day 鈥� whatever he wanted. We were determined to fulfill his every wish that day and, if we didn鈥檛 do it, we came pretty close,鈥� Barry said.
Conner鈥檚 family has organized a fundraising campaign to assist with his medical expenses. To contribute, visit www.GoFundMe.com and search 鈥淛ackie Conner,鈥� or contact the South Brownsville Fire Department at 724-785-8448.
While Brownsville came together to make his dreams come true, it鈥檚 Jackie Conner who鈥檚 left a lasting impact on his community.
鈥淛ackie probably lies in bed at night 鈥� just like the rest of us 鈥� and wonders what his purpose is. Even if he doesn鈥檛 know it, we all know it now. He was put on this Earth to show there is pure love in the world. He鈥檚 a beautiful soul, and we could all learn a little bit from him. We should all be so lucky,鈥� Barry said. 鈥淪ome are born with the ability to be a firefighter and others aren鈥檛. You need three things 鈥� a sharp mind, skilled hands and a big heart. The first two, Jackie may not have necessarily been blessed with, but the third one; he has enough heart for everyone. For that reason, he鈥檚 more of a firefighter than all of us.鈥�