Wilbur McConnell

            Wilbur McConnell of Burlington, New Jersey, passed away Friday, October 4, 2024, at Samaritan Healthcare and Hospice Center.  He was 95.

            Born in Riverton, New Jersey, Wilbur was the second child of the late James and Anna Mae McConnell.  His siblings were Robert and Helen McConnell, who are both deceased. 

            Raised in Burlington City, Wilbur was a gifted athlete who was later inducted into the Burlington High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004.  He excelled for the Blue Devils in baseball and basketball from 1944 to 1947.  His varsity baseball teammates included numerous future minor and major league players, such as Sam Calderone, Eddie Miksis, Gene Saragnese, Ray Trava and Barney Shultz. 

Following his graduation in 1947, the Cincinnati Reds signed Wilbur to a minor league contract. A catcher, Wilbur hit .278 in five seasons playing for six teams in the Reds’ minor league system.  While playing for the Columbia Reds, Wilbur was teammates with future Hall of Famer Frank Robinson, and played against future Hall of Famer Hank Aaron.

            The Korean War interrupted Wilbur’s baseball career, but only temporarily.  During the war he served with the 60th Infantry Regiment in Fort Dix, New Jersey.  He quickly found his way back onto the baseball diamond playing for the Fort Dix Army team.  Future major leaguer Harvey Haddix also played for the Fort Dix team, which competed against other Army teams, including a Fort Monmouth team featuring future Hall of Famer Whitey Ford. 

            While playing for the Columbia Reds, Wilbur met the love of his life, Wilma Joye McConnell, and they were married in 1953.  They enjoyed 63 years of marriage until Wilma’s passing in 2015.  Wilbur was also predeceased by his son, Jim.  Wilbur is survived by his children: Donna (Mickey) Walsh of Delanco, New Jersey; Mike (Nancy) McConnell of Sandy Springs, Georgia; and Joseph (Jennifer) McConnell of Albrightsville, Pennsylvania.  He is also survived by eight grandchildren (Julie, Adam (Emily), Erin (Mike), Meredith (Stephen), Morgan, Michael, Trent and Blake) and nine great-grandchildren (Jocelyn, Jaxon, Oliver, Ozlo, Cosette, Otis, Grady, Adilyn  and Quinn).  He is also survived by five step grandchildren (Christopher (Tracy), Jannine (Christopher), Natalie (Stephen), Vanessa (Matthew), and Shannon (Matthew), as well as 15 step great-grandchildren.

            After marriage, Wilbur returned to Burlington and was employed by Public Service Electric and Gas for nearly 40 years.  He served in the Operations and Performance departments of several PSE&G plants including Burlington, Mercer and Salem.  While progressing through the PSE&G system, Wilbur never lost focus of his children and devoted his life to making sure they received every opportunity to succeed. 

            Wilbur was a longtime active member of the Broad Street United Methodist Church in Burlington.  A member of the Burlington Masonic Lodge, Wilbur provided thousands of  hours of community service over thirteen years for numerous residents of the Burlington Masonic Home, and received the Humanitarian Award from the Masonic Home of New Jersey in 2003.  During roughly this same time, Wilbur was diagnosed with Non-Hodkins lymphoma, which he continued to battle intermittently for over two decades.  Shortly before his 90th birthday, Cancer Treatment Centers of America honored him during its Celebrate Life event in Philadelphia, where he encouraged other cancer fighters to never lose hope.

            For the last four years, Wilbur enjoyed living on the Delaware River with his daughter Donna and her husband Mickey..  He spent his time riding his scooter and leisurely rocking on the porch swing watching  passing boats and greeting the neighbors.  Wilbur’s days were brightened by his beloved caregivers:  Andrea, Cecille, Marjorie, Sharon, Kim, Megan and Drew. 

            Please join us in celebration of Wilbur’s life at his memorial service where we will remember his inspiring spirit and the joy he brought to others throughout his life.  The visitation will be held from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday, October 12, 2024, at the Broad Street United Methodist Church, 36 E. Broad Street, Burlington. His  service will be held at the same location starting at 11:00 a.m. 

            In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Wilbur’s name to Samaritan Healthcare and Hospice Center by following the steps on the following link: https://www.samaritannj.org/giving/donate-now .   

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