Albin Mcconnell

Albin “Rip” McConnell, Jr., age 82, died Thursday August 22, 2013 at home after a brief illness. He was born on May 5, 1931 to Emma Jackson Graham and Albin “Pinch” McConnell, Sr.

He was a veteran of the US Army WWII Pacific Theater. He formerly worked at Interlake Iron, Weil-McLain, Erie Cab Company, and retired from the EMTA after a million miles of service. He had a passion for firearms. He enjoyed reading, Erie history, and was the 5th generation of descendants of the first African American Settlers in Erie County. He was a co-organizer of the American Legion Post 700, the Civil Air Patrol, Bayfront N.A.T.O. Safety Patrol, and the City of Erie Auxiliary Police. He enjoyed a good joke and had a colorful view of the world and politics. He will be sadly missed by his family and all those that knew him.

He was preceded in death by his first wife Mary Alice McConnell Bowers, his Uncle George Jackson and Aunt Josephine Jackson, all of Erie.

He is survived by his four children: Francis Bowers, Timothy McConnell (Peaches), Alyse McConnell and Denise McConnell, all of Erie; his special companion Nancy Bishop and his oldest and dearest friend John Drew. He is further survived by his two sisters: June Slow of Canonsburg, PA and Mary Ellen McConnell Watson of Erie; two cousins: George Jackson, Jr. of Cleveland and Josephine Clark of Erie; eight grandchildren; six great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Friends are invited to call on the family on Monday from 2pm until the time of the service at 4pm at the Burton Funeral Home and Crematory, 602 W. 10th St., Erie, PA 16502.