Obituary of John R McConnell

John R. McConnell, 86, of Post Street, Clinton, died peacefully on Wednesday, September 4, 2013, at home with his loving family at his side. John was born in Utica, NY on February 13, 1927, son of Lee McConnell and Mae Toomer McConnell. John started school in a one room schoolhouse on Post Street and was a 1945 graduate of Clinton Central School. On September 24, 1949, he married Dorothy Eastman in Waterville. He was a member of Deansboro Congregational United Church of Christ since the 1950's, holding many offices - trustee, deacon, usher and he sang in the choir. His hobbies included antique tractor & car shows, collecting toy cast iron trucks & cars. He was also an avid reader, enjoyed history and cross word puzzles. Together with his wife, they were active in many local historical society activities. John was a 50 year member of Dairylea Cooperative, serving as a delegate for several years at the annual meeting and also worked as a part-time assessor for the Town of Marshall (1963-1978). He started milking cows at an early age and was a life-long dairy farmer. John was the 6th generation to run the family dairy farm on Post Street. The farm has been in the McConnell family since 1796. Even when he became unable to do the work physically, he remained vitally interested in the farm that his son and grandson continue to run. "He was bound to the land from the day of his birth. His roots anchored deep in the fertile earth, nurtured, sustained by the soil he grew and his life like his furrows ran straight and true." John is survived by his wife of almost 64 years, Dorothy; daughter, Jane (Al) Dardani of Coxsackie, NY, daughter, Lois (Bill) Neal of Helena, MT, son, James (Becky) McConnell of Clinton and daughter, Mary Beth (Stephen) Krueger of Swanton, OH; his grandchildren, Celisia Street, Gretchen and Jennifer Neal, Amber (Travis) Barrett, John R. (Britt) McConnell, Kimberly McConnell (fiancé David Grescheck), Dustin (Jessica) Chandler, and Kaitlyn Krueger; great-grandchildren, Grace Barrett, Rowan and Jude Chandler, Kyleigh and Haylie Grescheck. He is also survived by sisters-in-law Jean Meyers, Gratia Burleigh and Anne Eastman, many beloved nieces, nephews and friends. He was predeceased by his infant daughter Sue Ellen and his parents Lee and Mae McConnell. There was nothing he loved more than his family. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, September 7, 2013 at 2pm at the Deansboro Congregational United Church of Christ. Burial will be in Sunset Hill Cemetery, Clinton. Friends are invited to call at Owens-Pavlot & Rogers Funeral Service, Inc., 35 College St., Clinton on Friday, September 6, 2013 (Today) from 3-6pm. Please consider donations in John's memory to Deansboro Congregational United Church of Christ, Hospice& Palliative Care or a charity of your choice. The family thanks the nurses of Hospice, especially Ann, Laurie and Julie for their kindness and care over the past ten months.