Obituaries

Peter J. Connell: Observer Sports Writer, Army Reserve Veteran

The Greenville resident passed away on Oct. 12, 2012.

 

Peter J. Connell, 72, of Wade Drive in Greenville, passed away with his family by his side on Friday, Oct. 12, after a nine-month battle with pancreatic cancer. He was married to the love of his life, Dorothy A. (Healey) Connell, for 46 years.

Born in Providence, he was the only child of the late William A. & Margaret J. (McGovern) Connell. He graduated from LaSalle Academy in 1956 and Providence College in 1960. He performed graduate studies at Long Island University through 1962 and earned a Master‘s Degree in Rehabilitation from Assumption College in 1975.

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Peter served his country proudly for six years in the Vietnam Era, while being on active duty with the Army Reserves.

He was the devoted father of William T. Connell and his wife, Karen, of North Smithfield; Colleen Kiernan of Greenville; and Peter S. Connell of Greenville. He was the doting grandfather of Nicole, Shawn, Meghan, Billy, & Kaleigh.

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Peter was an employee of the State of Rhode Island for 31 years, retiring in 1990 as the Chief of Public Relations for the Department of Employment Security (now Labor & Training). He began his career as a social worker for the former Department of Vocational Rehabilitation. He worked briefly for the former Eastern Airlines upon retirement.

In 1991, he embarked on a second career as a sportswriter for the Observer Publication and subsequent Valley Breeze Newspapers. For 21 years, he was a fixture at high school sporting events in Burrillville, Glocester, Lincoln, North Smithfield, Scituate, and Smithfield covering the accomplishments of legions of superb student-athletes. He umpired softball and baseball throughout his adult life. Beginning with men’s softball leagues in Providence in the early 70’s, followed by Little League in Smithfield and beyond, he retired in 2011 after umpiring high school baseball for 20 years. He was a member of the Association of Baseball Umpires of Rhode Island.

Besides his wife and family, baseball was the love of Peter’s life. He was an active member of S.A.B.R. (Society for American Baseball Research). Throughout the last 15 years, he and Dorothy traveled to three major league cities each summer to watch baseball and participate in S.A.B.R. events at various locations. Besides his home in Greenville, McCoy Stadium, home of the Pawtucket Red Sox, was his favorite place to spend time. Just a month ago, Peter was well enough to attend Governor’s Cup Playoff games with his sons as the PawSox secured their first championship in 28 years---quite a thrill for him.

Besides family and baseball, Peter’s religion and heritage were center-stage in his life. A devout Roman Catholic, St. Philip Church in Greenville was the spiritual center of his life. He was a lector at church for nearly 40 years. He fully participated in every aspect of life at St. Philip. He was particularly devoted to Mary, Mother of Jesus.

As his parents both immigrated from Ireland in their early 20’s, Peter relished his Irish heritage. He was a past member of The Ireland 32 Society and the Irish Ceilidhe Club of Rhode Island. He and Dorothy were great fans of various Irish bands and musicians over the decades. Many weekends would find them in various clubs enjoying the music. He journeyed to Ireland many times in his life. He was so very proud of the culture and the Irish way of life.

He loved living in Greenville and was very proud of anything that distinguished the town of Smithfield as a great place to live and raise children. He was a member of the Smithfield Senior Center.

Funeral Tuesday at 8:30 am from the ANDERSON-WINFIELD Funeral Home, Rt. 44 at Greenville Common, Greenville. A concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 am in St. Philip Church, 622 Putnam Pike, Greenville. Burial will be at St. Ann’s Cemetery, Cranston.

Visitation Monday, Oct. 15, from 4 to 8 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Peter’s memory may be made to the St. Philip Church Endowment Fund, 622 Putnam Pike, Greenville, RI 02828 or Home & Hospice of Rhode Island, 1085 North Main Street, Providence, RI 02904


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