(FLAG) The Honorable Judge Andrew E. McConnell, 64, of Hollywood Lane, Lincoln died Friday, April 17, 2009 in the Miriam Hospital, Providence. He was the husband of Pamela R. St. John.
He was born in Pawtucket, son of the late Andrew P. and Helen L. (McCaughey) McConnell. Judge McConnell was a 1959 graduate of St. Joseph"s School, Pawtucket, a 1962 graduate of St. Raphael Academy, Pawtucket, and a 1966 graduate of Providence College, a 1967 graduate of the U.S. Army Officer Candidate School earning the rank of First Lieutanant and served in the Ordinance Corps for 2 years. Judge McConnell received his Juris Doctorate Degree from Suffolk Law School in 1973. He had been a practicing attorney in the City of Pawtucket from 1973. He was a member of the Pawtucket and Rhode Island Bar Associations. He was elected as a member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives serving District 78, Pawtucket for 5 terms and being elected Majority Whip by his peers in 1980. Judge McConnell served as Administrative Assistant to former Pawtucket Mayor Henry Kinch from 1981-82 before being appointed by former Governor J.Joseph Garrahy to serve in the Workers" Compensation Court where he was a Judge for 20 years before his retirement in 2002. He also taught Physical Education in the Florida school system and English and Physical Education at Goff Jr. High School, Pawtucket prior to his political career.
Judge McConnell enjoyed his summers on Bowdish Lake, West Glocester, RI since 1952. He had been a member of the Lincoln Country Club; he enjoyed golf, reading, bowling, all sports, travel and gardening. He was a longtime coach for his childrens" baseball, basketball, and softball recreational leagues in North Smithfield. The most important part of his life and his proudest accomplishment were his children and family
Besides his wife he leaves his children, Sarah McConnell Dubois, Woonsocket, Andrew J. McConnell and his wife Sabrina, Norton, MA, Jeanne McConnell, Pascoag, Edward McConnell, Riverside, Mary McConnell, Little Ferry, NJ, his grandchildren, Owen and Emmett Dubois and Olivia and Andrew McConnell, his sister, Ann Kulacz of Pawtucket as well as several nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late Helen Peters and Mary McConnell.
The funeral for Judge McConnell will be Thursday, April 23, 2009 at 8:30 am from THE MANNING HEFFERN FUNERAL HOME, 68 Broadway, Pawtucket with a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Joseph"s Church, 195 Walcott St., Pawtucket at 10:00 am. His calling hours will be Wednesday 4-8pm in the funeral home. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Home & Hospice of RI, 169 George St., Pawtucket, RI 02860, or Blackstone Valley ARC, 115 Manton St., Pawtucket, RI 02861. For directions and online condolences, please visit www.manningheffern.com.