Robert F. McConnell, 72
ADAMS, Mass. — Robert Francis McConnell, 72, of 31 Harding Ave. died on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2014, at Berkshire Medical Center North in North Adams.
Born in North Adams on Oct. 21, 1941, a son of John and Annette Roy McConnell, he attended schools in North Adams and graduated from Drury High School with the class of 1960.
A Navy veteran of the Vietnam War, he served on the USS Albany from Sept. 21, 1960, until receiving his honorable discharge on Sept. 4, 1964.
Mr. McConnell was employed as a police officer for Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and its predecessor, North Adams State College, for 27 years until retiring.
He was a communicant of St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Cheshire. He was a member of the Cruiser Sailors Association, the USS Albany Association, Frank R. Stiles Post 125 American Legion in North Adams and the Massachusetts Police Association. He was a fine craftsman and enjoyed woodworking.
He and his wife, the former Donna M. Hartwig, were married on Oct. 5, 2007.
Besides his wife, he leaves two daughters, Shannon Appell and her husband, Erik, of Cleveland and Shelby McConnell and her companion, Bruce Decoteau, of North Adams; a stepson, John Whitman of Cheshire; a brother, Donald McConnell of Pennsylvania; two stepdaughters, Julie Dieterich and her husband, Greg, and Laura Alicea, all of Adams; two grandchildren, Molly and Max Appell of Cleveland, and two nephews, Shane and Chad McConnell.
FUNERAL NOTICE — The funeral for Mr. McConnell will be on Tuesday, Sept. 9, at 8:45 a.m. from Paciorek Funeral Home, 13 Hoosac St., Adams, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10 in St. Mary of the Assumption Church, Cheshire, celebrated by the Rev. David R. Raymond, pastor. Burial will be at a later date at the convenience of the family.
Calling hours will be Monday from 4 to 7 at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to the USS Albany Association, 4 Hathaway Ave., Peabody, MA 01960-5032, the Cruiser Sailors Association, 21 Colonial Way, Rehoboth, MA 02769-1220, the Adams Ambulance Service, 185 Columbia St., Adams, MA 01220 or the North Adams Ambulance Service, 10 Harris St., North Adams, MA 01247