Eric Malcolm MCCONNELL

ERIC MALCOLM MCCONNELL Eric McConnell, 82, of Rainycrest Home for the Aged, 550 Osborne St., Fort Frances, Ont., passed away at his residence Sunday, Dec. 9, 2001. He was born Jan. 20, 1919 in Fort Frances to the late Jack and Elizabeth McConnell. In his earlier years, he played junior hockey with different teams in Fort Frances. Eric worked in the bush until 1942, when he joined the Queen’s Own Cameron and went to Terrace, B.C. for training. Following his training, he served overseas in England and France. While overseas, he was wounded and later discharged in 1945 to return home. On June 22, 1949, Eric was united in marriage to Laura Gosselin. In Fort Frances, Eric bartended for various local hotel establishments for many years, and later at the Royal Canadian Legion Br. 29 until his retirement in 1969. He was a member of the Legion, and of St. John’s Anglican Church in Fort Frances. Eric and Laura were the first couple to move into Columbus Place. He resided there until moving to Rainycrest in 2001. For enjoyment, Eric liked playing Bingo and watching sports. He was predeceased by two sons-in-law, Frank Lappage and John Condry; two brothers, Gordon and John McConnell; and three sisters, Gladys McIntosh, Silver Mathews, and Edna McDevitt. Eric is survived by his wife, Laura McConnell of Fort Frances, Ont.; and eight children, Sandra Condry of Syracuse, N.Y., Leslee Lappage of Dryden, Ont., Lyle McConnell and wife, Naomi, of Savona, B.C., Cy McConnell and wife, Lori, of Invermere, B.C., Shelley and husband, Ray Ducharme, of Fort Frances, Ont., Melody McConnell and Nadine McConnell, both of Edmonton, Alta., and Calvin McConnell of Invermere, B.C. Also surviving are 16 grandchildren, Jennifer, Ian, Kirsten, Shawn, Brad, Tyler, Raelle, Laura, Patrick, Leslee, Leah, Lauren, Rory, Brett, Paige, and Brittany; three great-grandchildren, Nicholas, Jackson, and Alex; one sister, Helen Hamilton of International Falls, Mn.; and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Thursday, Dec. 13, 2001 at 2 p.m. at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances. Father Wayne McIntosh will officiate, with interment in Riverview Cemetery in Fort Frances. The Royal Canadian Legion Br. 29 Colour Party will provide their military tribute during the service. Friends may visit Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2001 from 7 until 8 p.m. at Green Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be Eric’s grandsons, Shawn Lappage, Brad Ducharme, and Tyler Lappage, and his nephews, Don McIntosh, Jeff Hamilton, and Warren Gosselin. In memoriam donations may be made to the Rainycrest Home for the Aged-Alzheimer’s Unit, c/o Rainycrest Home for the Aged, 550 Osborne St., Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3T2.