Thomas McConnell

1928 - 2026

Thomas McConnell
July 15, 1928 - January 5, 2026
Thomas Alfred McConnell passed away peacefully on January 5, 2026. He was born on July 15, 1928, in Schenectady, NY to parents, Kenneth D. McConnell and Dorothy (Simmons). In 1940, the family moved to Norwich, NY where Thomas' father practiced optometry in that small town. After graduating from Norwich High School in 1946, Tom briefly attended "State Tech" in Binghamton, NY and then was employed at Briggs Lumber Co. in Norwich. With the beginning of the Korean Conflict in 1950, Tom enlisted in the US Air Force. He completed assignments as Staff Sergeant at Williams Air Force Base in Chandler, AZ. At an off-duty event at an outdoor roller rink, in Chandler, he met his future wife Rose (Cornejo). Soon after marrying in February 1952, Tom found he was to ship out to South Korea. Having finished his tour of duty in 1954, Tom and Rose then made the cross-country trip back to Tom's hometown of Norwich, settled there, and raised their family. Tom was a devoted father. He and Rose raised their three daughters in Norwich. He was a proud employee, retiring from Simmonds Precision Co. in 1990 after 35 years. Having started work at the original company called General Laboratories Associates (GLA), he eventually worked his way up from the drafting board to Project Engineer at the later named Simmonds Precision. After retirement, Tom and Rose made the cross-country trek again, returning to Rose's home state of Arizona, where, by that time, two daughters were also residing. Tom and Rose enjoyed traveling in retirement. Their travels took them to London, Australia, Alaska. A 50th wedding anniversary trip in 2002 to Maui rounded out their travels. Tom had a lifelong interest in aviation. Never having fulfilled his dream of becoming a pilot, Tom instead logged many hours on the flight simulator at his desktop computer. He enjoyed genealogy research and drawing and painting in his later years. Tom, (N7NY) held an extra class amateur radio license for many years. He was an active member of Chenango Valley Amateur Radio Assoc. (CVARA) in upstate New York. Tom became a member of the Scottsdale United Church of Christ, in his later years. He enjoyed making new friends at the church well into his 80's and 90's. Tom was pre-deceased by his wife Rose; daughter, Karyl; brothers, William and Gerald. He will be missed by his surviving family: daughter, Kathleen (Norman Pih), daughter, Karen Atten (Thomas); granddaughters, Mya Rose Atten and Leah Marie Atten. The family would like to thank the caregivers of Tender Loving Companions and GGs Home in Flagstaff, AZ for their kindness and attentive care during Tom's final 2 years. Maggie's Hospice provided care and guidance as well, for which the family is very grateful. A private service will be held at a later date. "When you walk to the edge of all the light you have and take that first step into the darkness of the unknown, you must believe that one of two things will happen: There will be something solid for you to stand upon, or you will be taught to fly." (P. Overton). memories can be shared online at www.norvelowensmortuary.com