Thomas Mcconnell

Thomas McConnell, 89, died peacefully on March 23, 2024.

Born in Providence, RI to the late John and Mary McConnell, nee McGrath, he is survived by his beloved wife, Marilyn C. (Mostecki) McConnell He is the devoted father of three sons, Thomas J. and his late wife, Leslie, of Minneapolis, MN, Michael J. and his wife, Lisa, of Tewksbury, NJ, and Kevin J. Ph. D and his partner, Karen Witherell, of Melrose, MA. He is survived by six grandchildren, Sean McConnell and his wife, Julie Vo McConnell, Kendra McConnell and her partner, Michael Doherty, Daniel McConnell, Meredith McConnell, Jordan McConnell, and Maeve McConnell. He was preceded in death by his brother, John McConnell and his wife, Jane. He is survived by his six nephews and their wonderful families, his cousin, Father Martin De Porres, and his cousin, Peter Geisser.

He was a graduate of La Salle Academy and went on to attend University of Rhode Island, where he met the love of his life, Marilyn Mostecki. Both Thomas and Marilyn graduated in 1957 and were married in 1959. They moved to New Jersey, where Thomas began his career with The Equitable in New York. In 1963, they moved to Maplewood, NJ where they lived for the next 38 years. Mr. McConnell received his MBA degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University while working as an accountant for Wallace and Tiernan in East Orange. In 1969, he worked as the Director of Financial Reporting for Squibb Corporation, and a decade later, worked for Penn Dixie and then for Timeplex Inc. He joined the management of the nursing home where his wife worked, Reformed Church Home in Old Bridge, as their Chief Financial Officer. Together they helped build the stability of the facility, which provides care for the elderly.

The McConnell’s were devout parishioners of St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Maplewood where Thomas was an usher for over thirty years. They retired to Venice, Florida in 2000. They attended Epiphany Cathedral in Venice. Thomas was the past president of the Maplewood Lions and was an active member of the Venice Florida Lions. He spent time volunteering with the Lions Eye Bank and as treasurer. He enjoyed reading, traveling, and spending quality time with his family. He was a man of few words, and he preferred to use them to make someone laugh. He was known for keeping a cool head and refused to worry about a problem if no one got hurt. He is well loved and will be greatly missed.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00AM on May 11, 2024, at St. Bernard Catholic Church, North Kingston, RI. Inurnment will follow with military honors at the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery In Exeter.