James DeLaCour "Del" Conner

Celebrating the Artful Life of James DeLaCour “Del” Conner (1950–2025)

James DeLaCour Conner of Hamburg, Pennsylvania, known affectionately to all as “Del”, died on November 13, 2025. A man of immense talent, curiosity, and warmth, Del leaves behind a legacy as enduring as the iron he cast.

Born in Philadelphia, on September 13, 1950, to the late Alan Biddle Conner and Agnes “Bunny” DeLaCour Conner, Del’s roots ran deep in Germantown. He was the devoted husband and life partner to Jacquelin Brough Conner, the proud father of Madeline Syng Conner (James Woods), and the doting grandfather of Elowyn Syng Woods. He remains his mother, Bunny's cherished son. He is also survived by his siblings, Alan Jr., David, and Susan Conner Crowe, as well as a large, loving circle of nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

Del was a true Renaissance man who found beauty in both the past and the soil. A 1972 graduate of the Hussian School of Art, he founded Pennsylvania Firebacks in 1979. With a visionary touch, he transformed heavy cast iron into works of refined delicacy. His motto, “Cast to Last,” served as a promise that his artistic spirit would warm hearths for generations to come.

His passion for history and community was boundless. As a founding member of the Association of Philadelphia Tour Guides and a former board member of the Awbury Arboretum, Del was a tireless steward of the stories and landscapes that define his home. He felt a profound connection to his heritage, serving as caretaker of the Powel House and, for 12 years, of the Physick House—his own ancestral home.

Beyond his professional work, Del’s life was a vibrant symphony. He was a lifelong musician who played guitar and bass in bands since his teens, a dedicated gardener who nurtured nature’s beauty, and a lover of all creatures great and small. He shared his father’s whimsical fascination with trains and trolleys, finding joy in the intricate mechanics of a bygone era.

A celebration of Del’s remarkable life was held on:

• Service: March 13, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.
• Location: Christ Church, 20 N. American St., Philadelphia, PA 19106.
• Interment: A private family service will follow at Christ Church Burial Ground.

Del lived with a spirit so rich that it touched everyone he met. He will be deeply missed, but his art, his music, and his love remain—cast to last in our hearts forever.