James A. McConnell

James A. McConnell, age 83, died suddenly November 14th, 2019 in Laguna Hills, Ca. He was born in South Heights, PA, son of James and Julia McConnell. He is preceded in death by his son, Paul Gregory McConnell and his brother-in-law, John F. Gallo. He is survived by his wife, Amelia (Goulart) McConnell, his sister, Rosemary A. F. Gallo, his sons and daughters-in-law, James & Patty McConnell, Mark & Cindy McConnell, and six grandchildren: Megan, Kristin, Sarah, Joe, Matt and Sam. He greatly adored his adopted tuxedo cat, Billysky. Jim graduated in Electrical Engineering from the Carnegie Institute of Technology in 1958. He served in the US Army from 1958-1960 as an SP-4. He was married to his wife of 57 years Oct. 13, 1962. He worked for NSA at various locations in Maryland for 42 years of federal service; retired in 2001. He served as treasurer of NARFE during some of his retired years. He was a member of St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church for 20 years and a member at St. Louis Catholic Church for 30 years. Jim was a brilliant and creative man who always had a joke or quip ready; a dedicated and protective husband; a funny playful Grandfather, and a master of repairing anything, he was a proverbial do it yourselfer; a true man of character, honesty and integrity. He was a quiet, humble man, but he made up for that by marrying a pit bull. He enjoyed pasta, pistachios, and making Amy (his wife) Manhattans, along with gardening, reading, and live theater. His entire life was dedicated to his wife and his family! A funeral mass will be offered at St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church at the Wilde Lake Interfaith Center in Columbia, MD on December 2, 2019 at 10 am. Jim will be laid to rest at St. Louis Cemetery in Clarksville, MD with the help of Harry H. Witzke funeral home. In lieu of flowers, Jim requested donations be made to Doctors Without Borders. 

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