Harry E. McConnell

Harry E. McConnell (Chief) Harry E. McConnell age 89, passed away Saturday, November 17th, at the Masonic Home of NJ in Burlington Township. Born and raised in Burlington City, Harry remained a lifelong resident of Burlington. A 1942 graduate of Burlington City High School, Harry was a state champion pole vaulter and held the pole vault record at Burlington High School for some 30 years. In 1985 he was inducted into the Burlington County Track and Field Hall of Fame. After graduation he enlisted in the United States Marines and served his country honorably in the South Pacific Theater during World War II. After being discharged he returned to Burlington here he was hired by the Burlington City Police Department. After serving 8 years on the force and rising to the rank of Detective, he was appointed a County Detective in Mt. Holly. A few years later he was appointed Chief of County Detectives for the County of Burlington and remained in that capacity until his retirement. A charter member of the Burlington County F.O.P. Lodge #2, and a member of the N.J. State F.O.P. Lodge, Harry served as president of the Burlington County Police Chief's Association in 1967. A longtime member of Burlington Lodge #32, F.&A. M., he served as Worshipful Master of the lodge in 1977. Harry was an outstanding artist in high school and for some 40 years he annually painted the scenery and backdrops for the annual Burnt Cork shows. Preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Lucy McConnell, his brothers, Edward, Richard and Kenny, and a son, David McConnell, he is survived by his wife of 68 years, Dorothy (nee Sanderson) McConnell, his son and daughter in law; Harry (Carmella) McConnell, his brother, Thomas, and his grandchildren and their spouses: Harry A. (Marianne) McConnell, Michele (John) Fekete and Dava Padillo. Harry is also survived by his seven great-grandchildren: Amanda, Katie, Abby, Colin, David, Victor and Lucinda. Family and friends are invited to his viewings and funeral service to be held Friday evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and again Saturday morning from 9:39-10:30 a.m. followed by the funeral service at 10:30 at the Page Funeral Home, 302 E. Union Street, Burlington. Burial with military honors will follow in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Rte. 130 South, Burlington, NJ. Those wishing may make donations in Harry's memory to the Masonic Charity Foundation, 902 Jacksonville Rd., Burlington, NJ. 08016. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Harry E. McConnell please visit our Sympathy Store.

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