The Biography of Conrad Carrington and the Story Behind Connie's Jam

Conrad Carrington, better known as Connie or Conn, was an amazing person who shaped the lives of many people. Connie was a native Torontonian who studied for his B.A. in psychology and sociology at Lincoln University, Jefferson City, Missouri. Some years later, he continued his studies at the University of Toronto and graduated with a Masters degree in social work.

To those who knew Connie, he was a “class act”.

As a child, for social and recreational activities, Conrad attended St. Christopher House, at that time a small social services agency located near the Kensington Market. Little did he know at the time how this agency would later play a role in his professional life and have a positive bearing on the lives of many children and young adults in downtown Toronto.

In the early 50’s, Conrad’s first social work job was as program director at the Negro Community Centre in Montreal.

A few years later, he returned to Toronto to fill the position of director of young adult activities at St. Christopher House.

His years at St. Christopher House were not long in duration but his impact was significant. He counselled teens through their “rough patch” years - relationships with the opposite sex, employers, parents, peers, police, the criminal justice system etc. Through his leadership and direction he ensured that the St. Chris basketball tradition continued and flourished. He provided counselling and support to young families in crisis. Connie also created a teen leadership program for those aspiring to become future leaders in the community.

Connie was a neat guy - always in shirt and tie, pipe in hand and a coffee cup near by.  The image he presented was almost professorial; his demeanour was ever the classic - cool, calm and collected. Even when he was beating you soundly in a game of table tennis, he never appeared dishevelled or ruffled.

In keeping with being cool, Connie was an avid Jazz fan. Although not an accomplished musician himself he could still work his way around a few lively jazz tunes on the piano. One of the great legacies he gave St. Christopher House and Toronto was the launch of some pretty good jazz musicians. Every Sunday afternoon for a number of years, budding musicians could test out their “chops” with an enthusiastic young crowd hungry to taste some of the jazzy tunes performed by their peers. The House would be rocking - table tennis in the games room, jazz in the auditorium, snooker in the music school and lively basketball games in the gym. And it was free.

Today there are still a good number of musicians performing outstanding jazz in clubs, concert halls and private homes who had a chance to develop their craft because of this very innovative program established by Connie Carrington.

In the 60’s, Conn’s passion for jazz was further enhanced when he joined the Metro Toronto Jazz Society. As a way to pay tribute to the many musicians who played in Toronto and give them the recognition they deserved, this local group of jazz enthusiasts hosted parties for them in their homes. Connie’s affiliation with this group lasted over 25 years, sometimes as a member - other times as the MTJS president.

In the mid 60’s, Conrad’s social service work took him to a job at the Whitby Psychiatric Hospital. As the director of the Approved Homes Program, Conrad supervised five specialists who worked at getting people back into society. Of course he did this job well and was highly respected by staff at every level of the Hospital. His wife Oola claims he had time for everyone - the professionals, caretakers and patients.

With his retirement beckoning, Connie once again got the call to return to St. Christopher House, this time to serve on the Board’s nominating committee. This volunteer job lasted from 1991 - 1995, a task he did with all the energy and enthusiasm he always brought to any challenge he ever had.

Connie Carrington’s impact on the community is immeasurable and those of us who lucky enough to know him are better people today because this “neat” person touched our souls. Connie made a difference.

In his memory, leaders in the Afro Canadian community, friends of Connie and alumni of St. Christopher House, started "Connie's Sunday Jam" an afternoon of music and friendship at St. Christopher House. The event has attracted such wonderful artists as Archie Alleyne, Salome Bey, Gail Berry and Doug Richardson, all of whom donate their time in memory of Connie to benefit the children's program at St. Christopher House.