Obituary of Philip Frederick Connell

CONNELL, PHILIP F.- The death of Philip Frederick Connell, DFM of Saint John, husband of Mary Kathleen (Daley) Connell, occurred on Sunday, February 11, 2007 at the Saint John Regional Hospital. Born in Saint John on July 7, 1923, he was the son of the late George and Jean (Alexander) Connell. Mr. Connell was a veteran of World War II, serving with the Bomber Command 83 Squadron of the R.C.A.F. He was a founding member of the Path Finder Force in 1942 and was wounded in action in 1943. He received the Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM) from King George VI at Buckingham Palace on February 29, 1944. In 1945 Philip joined F.J. Brennan Co. Ltd. Investment Finance, from where he began his long career as an Investment banker working with Nesbitt Thompson in various capacities, retiring as President in 1995 from McDermid Miller McDermid. Mr. Connell was National President of the R.C.A.F. Association, past member of Saint John City Council, past manager of Saint John Board of Trade, allied member of the New York Stock Exchange and member of the Vancouver Stock Exchange. He worked with the Founding Committee of UNBSJ, the Saint John Harbour Bridge Authority, Halifax/Dartmouth Bridge Authority, Quebec Hydro, the Province of New Brunswick, Alberta Telephone the City of Edmonton and assisted in founding the BC Municipal Finance Authority. Besides his wife, he is survived by his seven children, Mary Kathleen Ablett (Richard) of Ottawa, ON, Colleen Ablett (David) of Toronto, ON, Michael Connell of Halifax, NS, Susan Witiuk (James) of Winnipeg, MN, Anne Yatkowsky (Lawrence) of Vancouver, BC, Mary Raper of Peterborough, ON and Ellen Connell (Peter Johnson) of Victoria, BC, two sisters, Noreen Bennett of Montreal, QC and Eileen Duffley of Saint John, 20 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by son-in-law, Douglas Raper, brother, Raymond, sister, Jean Cooke and an infant sister, Mary. Resting at Brenan’s Select Community Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John (634-7424), with visiting on Sunday 2-4 and 7-9 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Peter’s Church, Clarendon Street, Saint John on Monday, February 19, 2007 at 11:00 AM. Interment in St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Remembrances to the Poppy Fund, Alzheimer’s Research or the charity of the donors’ choice would be appreciated. The Royal Canadian Legion will hold a tribute to a Veteran service on Sunday evening at 7:00 PM at the funeral home.