John Connell

John Francis Connell, age 74 of Girard, PA died May 17th, 2014 at home, following a lengthy illness.

He was born in Providence, RI on September 22, 1939 John was the son of the late Joseph and Catherine Cunningham Connell.

John was a graduate of Hope High School in Providence, RI. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force, a recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal, a Computer programmer and Manager of Electronic Data Processing; Upon his retirement in 1978 from the Air Force with the rank of Technical Sergeant, John finished his career with the Unisys Corporation as a Computer System Analyst. One of his last major projects was transitioning computer technology from the 1900’s to 2000’s. John was proud of his Military Career. He was a member of both the VFW in Maryland and the American Legion in Girard, PA; and was a strong supporter of the Wounded Warriors Project.

In addition to his parents John was preceded in death by his first wife, Gail M. Bowers Connell and two sons, John L. Connell and Keith R. Connell.

He is survived by his wife, Joanne Zimmer Connell, of Girard; his daughter, Lynne M. Reed, her husband Michael, of St. Leonard, MD; two step-daughters, Beth A. Pude, her husband Herman, and Diane Kemerer, of McKean, PA; two daughter in laws: Cindy Connell and Barbara Connell; his brother, Joseph Connell and his wife Mary, Daytona Beach, FL; he is further survived by 13 grandchildren, Steven (Tamika) Reed, Stacey (Brian) Read, Angela, John, Tabitha, Nicholas (Elizabeth), Brittany and Rachel Connell, Phillip (Lauren) Pude, Kayla Pude, Emily Vercillo, Elizabeth Heffernan and Antoinette Kemerer; 16 great grandchildren; and his loving dog, Buddy.

Friends may call at the Burton Funeral Home 525 Main Street East, Girard on Tuesday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project P.O. Box 758517 Topeka, KS 66675, Shriners Hospital for Children, 1645 W 8th St, Erie, PA . 16505 and Anna Shelter, 1555 E 10th St, Erie, PA. 16511. Further arrangements will be at Rausch Funeral Home Owings, MD with burial at Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to www.Burtonfuneralhome.com.