Dr. Thomas L. Connair

Thomas Leo Connair, DVM, of Kettering, Ohio, passed away peacefully at home on September 30, 2025, at the age of 96.

Born in Dayton, Ohio, Tom was the fifth of seven children of Mildred and Sylvan Connair. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Rita; infant daughter Mary; oldest daughter Cecilia; as well as his second wife, Ruth.

Tom leaves behind a large and loving family: his children Dennis Connair (Jan), Brian Connair (Karen D), Erin Fanning (Jesse), Martin Connair (Karen C), Brendan Connair (Karen K), and Teresa Connair (Curtis Hayes); 25 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; his younger brother Timothy Connair of Dayton, younger sister Susan Parsons of Portland and sister-in-law Mary Margaret Connair of West Des Moines; plus numerous nieces and nephews.

Dr. Connair graduated from Chaminade High, class of ‘46, member of UD class of 1950. He received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from The Ohio State University in 1958. He was an honorary member of class of ‘52 St. Mary of the Springs. Served in the U.S. Navy as a Corpsman from ‘52 to ‘54, primarily at U.S. Naval Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, where he worked in aural rehabilitation and was the only man in the Navy making ear molds.

Dr. Connair was a small animal veterinarian and owned Centerville Animal Hospital until his retirement in 2001. He was a life member of the AVMA, OVMA and MVVMA and served as District Representative to the OVMA for many years. Dr. Connair chaired the OVMA Public Health Committee for 2 years and was appointed to the Governor's Public Health Advisory Committee.

In 2000 Dr. Connair was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Golden Flyers organization at the University of Dayton, becoming chairperson in 2004 & 2005 and also served on the UD National Alumni board for 2 years. Dr. Connair was a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians.

In 1967, Dr. Connair started wood carving as a hobby and became known for his realistic award-winning carvings of aquatic and other animals. He was a life member of the Kettering Wood Carvers club.

Mass of Christian Burial, 10:30 am Friday, October 10 at St. Charles Borromeo Church. The family will receive friends Thursday, October 9 from 4:00-8:00 pm at the Westbrock Funeral Home, Kettering. Burial, Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the University of Dayton Champions and Scholars program or Golden Flyers, Chaminade (C-J) High class of ‘46 scholarship fund, or St. Charles Borromeo Church or the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine.