Joseph F. McConnell

McConnell, Joseph F., Sr., longtime resident of Somerville, formerly of Medford, and a proud member of the Greatest Generation, passed away on July 11 at the Woburn Nursing Center.  He was 97.

Joseph was the loving husband of the late Hilda R. (Forristall), and devoted father of Barbara L. Allara and her husband Eugene Allara of Portola, California, Joseph F., Jr. of Danvers, and the late Elaine M. Burpee of Woburn. He was the cherished grandfather of Eugene M. Allara and his wife Christine of Carson City, Nevada, Tracy Arauza and her husband Dan of Norfolk, Virginia, Melonie Allara of Portola, California, and the late Robert J. Spears, Jr. of Florida, as well as great grandfather of Breanna Hidalgo, Kelsey Sison, Kaitlin Bates, Jocelyn Campbell, Sophia Allara, Kathleen Bryant and DJ Arauza; and great-great grandfather of Kairi Sison. Also, loving uncle and Pa to many grandnieces and grandnephews, and nephews and nieces.  

Son of the late James and Margaret (Flynn) McConnell, and the brother of the late Sister Mary Frances SC (Rita McConnell) of Wellesley, James E. McConnell of Reading, Louise B. McConnell and Ruth M. McCarthy, both of Medford.  

Joseph, a 1943 Medford High School graduate, was an US Navy WWII veteran. He also served in the National Guard during the Korean War. He was a retired New England Telephone employee, and was a member of the New England Telephone Pioneers and American Legion Post 19 of Somerville. He was a longtime Eucharistic Minister at St. Catherine’s Church, Somerville, Sacred Heart Church, Medford, and the Little Sisters of the Poor, Somerville, where he also served as a lector and probably the world’s oldest altar boy. He had a passion for crossword puzzles, and was an avid reader, especially novels. He enjoyed watching movies and documentaries, particularly when they were on WWII, and was always a big fan of Judge Judy, Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy.

For four decades, he enthusiastically packed his bags, before heading to Logan Airport to board a plane twice every year to the West Coast to see his daughter Barbara and her husband Eugene, and his beloved grandchildren and great grandchildren. As a Red Sox and Patriots fan, he would often say he’d die happy if the Sox won the World Series. Well, as it turned out, they have won four Fall Classics in his lifetime, and the Patriots have won six Super Bowls. It was an unbelievable run for both teams, and he was thrilled to be a witness to all of it, something that was only a dream for his generation.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Joseph’s name should be sent to the Sisters of Charity, 125 Oakland Street, Wellesley Hills, Mass. 02481.

Visiting hours for Joseph will be held on Thursday, July 20, from 4-7 p.m. at the George L. Doherty Funeral Home, 855 Broadway (Powder House Sq.) in Somerville. A funeral procession will be held in the George L. Doherty Funeral Home on Friday at 9:00AM. Followed by a funeral mass in St. Catherine’s Church 179 Summer Street, Somerville on Friday morning, July 21, at 10:00AM. Services will conclude with interment Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford.

 Late veteran of US Navy and proud member of The Greatest Generation, serving his country in WWII and Korea.