Paul J. Connell

ATLANTA, Ga. - Paul James Connell of Atlanta and Big Canoe, Gal. went to be with the Lord on November 10, 2005 after waging a valiant fight against cancer. Paul's closest friends and family the thing he cherished most in this life, were with him during his final peaceful hours. Paul was born in Johnson City, N.Y. on July 25, 1951. He graduated from Maine-Endwell High School in Endwll, N.Y. in 1969. After earning both a B.S. in Engineering and M.B.A. in Finance from Cornell University, Paul spent several years with Kurt Salmon and Associates (KSA). While working with KSA, Paul augmented his education by earning a J.D. from the Emory University Law School. At Emory, he was a member of the Editorial Board of the Emory Law Journal. Upon graduation from law school, Paul joined Kilpatrick Stockton where he began a successful international mergers and acquisitions practice. During this tenure he spent a portion of his time in London as Managing Partner for their European practice. Since 1992, Paul was a partner with the law firm of Paul Hastings in their Atlanta location. He was a member of the Georgia State Bar, the American and Atlanta Bar Associations, the International Bar Association and the Law Society of England and Wales. He served as Chairman of the International Section of the State Bar of Georgia in 1991-1992. Paul's greatest treasure in life is the loving family that he leaves behind. His wife, Kathryn Sparks Connell, and children, James, Jacquelyn, Jessica and Jeffrey are grateful for the wonderful memories and love that they built together as a family. Paul is also survived by his mother, Geraldine Bowen Connell of Danbury, Conn.; sisters, Cecilia Connell Watson and her husband, Randy, of Charlotte, N.C., Marie Connell Peterman of Hobart, N.Y.; brother, John Connell and his wife, Ellen, of Bethel, Conn.; mother-in-law, Violet Blanchard Sparks of Augusta; brother- in-law, Francis Linton Sparks III of Augusta; sisters-in-law, Vicki Sparks of Los Angeles, Calif.; two nieces, three nephews, two grand- nephews and two grand-nieces. There will be a celebration of Paul's life officiated by the Reverend Bill Bufton and Dr. John Bryan at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 12, 2005 at the Mt. Vernon Baptist Church, 850 Mt. Vernon Highway NW, in Atlanta. Immediately following the service, the family will receive friends in the church foyer. Burial will be private. Consistent with Paul's wishes, the family asks that donations, in lieu of flowers, be sent to Heartline Ministries, P.O. Box 394, Winona Lake, IN 46590. Beggs Funeral Home, 799 Cobbham Rd., Thomson, GA (706)595-4100. Sign the guestbook at AugustaChronicle.com