Obituary of John W. McConnell

Age 86, of Mpls., passed away December 12, 2015. John was born in Columbus, Ohio in July of 1929, only 5 days after his wife, Margaret Jane "Peg" Murphy. John and Peg grew up and attended primary school together in Zanesville, Ohio, and eventually graduated together from Ohio Wesleyan University. They were married in August of 1953 while John was studying medicine at the University of Cincinnati. They truly were lifelong partners and friends as well as husband and wife. John began his professional medical life as an old-fashioned general practitioner in a small group practice in Mariemont, Ohio. When "Family Practice" officially became a medical specialty, John was one of the first to be Board Certified and was recruited to be one of the initial Professors of Family Practice at the University of Minnesota. He was a member of, and later Chaired the Medical School Admissions Committee. Unfortunately, Peg passed away in 1983. Shortly after Peg's passing, John took a sabbatical from teaching to travel around the world with Cammie, Tim and David, observing medical practice in other countries. Upon his return, he helped coordinate international medical study for students in the Medical School. Outside of the University, John was very active in the St Andrews Society and was Chairman of the Clan Donald Society of Minnesota. After his retirement, John traveled extensively, eventually touching every continent except Antarctica. A true renaissance man, John studied modern and ancient languages including Gaelic and hieroglyphics. He loved to spend his free time gardening, cooking, and experimenting with many forms of arts and crafts. He was a wonderful, loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. He was preceded in death by his wife, Peg, and grandson, Ian, and is survived by his sister, Barbara, children, Cameron (Tim), Andy (Candace), and David (Linda), and grandchildren, Rory, Meg, Mariel, Craige and Ben. A celebration of John's life will be held at the Cremation Society of Minnesota Chapel, 1979 Old Hudson Road, St Paul, Sunday, December 27, 2015 beginning at 2pm. There will be a brief memorial service from 3-4pm with a reception to follow. John loved so many organizations that, in lieu of flowers, his family kindly asks you to consider making a charitable donation to the worthy organization of your choice in John's name. The family has suggestions if you contact us.