Richard Spencer "Rick" Connel

Richard "Rick" Spencer Connel, 73, of Avon, beloved husband of Jane (Leffler) Connel for 47 years, passed into the arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Saturday, August 11, 2018, surrounded by his family. Born in Hartford son of the late William A. and Marjorie P. (Champlin) Connel, he was raised in West Hartford and Laconia, NH, where he was an active sled dog racer with his dad. Rick received his BA from Northeastern University in Business Administration, Finance, and Insurance. He earned his Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter designation and was employed in the commercial insurance business in reinsurance and enterprise risk management with the Aetna, Industrial Risk Insurers, and Kemper before his retirement. He was proud to be called "The Hammer" as a calculated risk taker improving best practices. He started his career in insurance in Chicago where in Arlington Heights, IL, he made the decision to follow Jesus Christ and devote his life to Him. He and Jane moved to Avon 35 years ago where they raised their family and became an active member of Valley Community Baptist Church. He was active in many committees especially Valley's Missions Committee where he served as Chair and in various financial capacities. He was Ranger "Rick" for the Boys Brigade; a Deacon; a member of Men's Fraternity; and served in many capacities using his gifts of finance and organization to serve the Lord through Valley. He even volunteered as salad chef for Valley's Tuesday family dinners. Rick also volunteered for community-based organizations. He served for 24 years on the Avon Board of Assessment Appeals, the Avon Republican Town Committee as Treasurer, tutored at the Hartford Elementary schools, and as an Avon youth soccer coach. He also served NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness); helping to start the Farmington Affiliate serving as President, a member of the board of directors, support group facilitator, Teacher of Signature NAMI courses and served at the state level of NAMI on its board and as Treasurer. Rick brought his authentic character and strong faith to all his activities but his beloved family he considered his greatest legacy. Besides his wife Jane, he leaves his son Kyle S. Connel and his wife Ashleigh of Greenville, SC; daughter Katie D. Connel of Bristol and her children Devon and Migi Astacio; and his daughter Kendra R. DiLegge, her husband William of Chesterfield, NH, and their children Tatum and Ashlan DiLegge. He also leaves a sister Janice Butler and her husband Rudy of Norwich; and a cousin Gail Champlin with Gretchen VanHoosier of Canton. Rick's family will receive friends Thursday August 16, 2018 from 5-8 pm at the Carmon Funeral Home & Family Center, 301 Country Club Road, Avon. A Memorial Service in Celebration of his life will be Friday, August 17, 2018. 11 AM at Valley Community Baptist Church, 590 West Avon Road. Avon. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to either the World Outreach Fund at VCBC or National Alliance for Mental Illness, Connecticut, 576 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105. For directions or condolences please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com