Edward Brian Connell

1942 - 2023

Edward Brian Connell
April 22, 2023
Edward Brian Connell, better known as Brian, age 81, passed away peacefully at his home in Sarasota, FL on April 22, 2023 surrounded by family.
Brian was born on March 5,1942 in Stamford to the late Edward Anthony and Elizabeth Collins Connell. He is survived and beloved by his wife of 41 years, Carolyn, their twin daughters, Nicolette Connell-Pereira (Marcelo Pereira) of Los Angeles and Laura Connell (Dan Walls) of Sydney, Australia, his daughter Deborah Connell Schubring (Michael) of Sarasota, his brother, Gerald (Ann) of Alexandria, VA, two grandchildren, a niece and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister, Maureen Quick (Dr. Richard Quick).
Brian attended St. John's school and graduated from Stamford High School. He began his career in newspapers with a six-year printer's apprenticeship at the Stamford Advocate where he continued to work for many years in the composing room. There, he was better known as "Eddie" and made many lifelong friends.
Brian moved from Redding, CT to Sarasota, FL in 1978 where he began a lengthy and successful career at the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, continuing in the newspaper business, for which he had a great passion. He later held a position at UPS in Sarasota before his retirement.
It was at the Sarasota Herald-Tribune that Brian met Carolyn McNicol. They had a time of their lives romance and married in 1981. Brian was a wonderful and loving husband and father. He guided and taught his children with care, understanding and humor. He loved nothing more than engaging his daughters in conversation about every and all topics and hearing their perspectives about things. He would drop everything to come to his family's aid.
Those who knew Brian were well aware of his incredible knowledge of history, geography, local/national/world events and politics, sports, music, trivia and pop culture. He was a voracious reader. Like his sister and brother, Brian had an uncanny ability to retain vast amounts of information. This was very helpful in his decades-long routine of solving the morning crossword puzzle and fast and skillful ability as a Jeopardy viewer/player. His sense of humor and quick wit are unforgettable! He generally approached life with optimism and when his daughters would ask how he was (no matter what was going on in his life) he would invariably respond, "Faaaaaaantastic!"
Although he grew up in a Red Sox Nation household, Brian was a lifelong and avid New York Yankees fan. He loved and followed many sports. He played softball for the Stamford Advocate, where after the Thursday night game a requisite trip to Colony Pizza was essential. He played tennis at the Sarasota Bath & Racquet Club for many years, as well as softball for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Annual trips to Casa Ybel Resort in Sanibel Island, FL with family and friends were treasured. Epic games of Balderdash being played poolside were prized by all, where Brian frequently stumped the other players with his wicked ability to craft the perfect answer.
Brian was a lifelong lover of cars, including his pride and joy 1962 Corvette. Annual trips to his hometown of Stamford to visit family and his many friends, included a group trip to the New York City Car Show. He always looked forward to meeting up with his good friend and fellow car buff, Dan Bianco, for the Mecum Kissimmee auto show in Kissimmee, FL.
Brian will be forever loved and remembered by his family and friends for the wonderful man that he was. Carolyn will forever cherish her memories of her darling husband who always held her hand. Laura will always be her daddy's "peanut" and will never stop trying to beat his perpetually superior Wordle streak. Nicolette will treasure the special bond she shared with her father and only hopes to foster a bond as unique and impactful with her expected son.
Brian, you truly are "Faaaaaaantastic!" We will love you forever.
A celebration of life was held for family and friends in Sarasota.
Toale Brothers Funeral Home & Crematory of Sarasota are in charge of arrangements.