Thomas F Connell III

Thomas F. Connell III, 88

Troy - Thomas F. Connell III, 88, of Troy died Saturday, January 23, 2010, at Samaritan Hospital after a brief illness.

Born in Troy on April 12, 1921 to the late Thomas F. Connell Jr. and Helen Barry Connell. He is survived by his wife, Shirley Davis Connell whom he married on December 27, 1943. They recently celebrated their 66th wedding Anniversary. Together they raised 7 children- Thomas Connell IV, Patricia (Thomas) Murley, David P. Connell Sr., Kevin P. (Colleen) Connell Sr. all of Troy; Colleen (Larry) Smith of Syracuse, Timothy J. (Joan) Connell of Wynantskill and Terry P. Connell of Troy; 15 grandchildren- Tom and Mickey Connell, Kate (Matt) Entwistle, Tom (Amber) and Matt Murley, David Jr. (Kelly), Richard and Lynnsey Connell, Michael (Bobbie) Toomey, Kevin Jr. (Chrystal), Kelly and Kasey Connell, Brian and Carrie Smith and Terry P. Connell II; 7 great-grandchildren- Caroline, Luke and John Entwistle, Davey and Christopher Connell, Michaela Toomey and Reese Connell. Also survived by 2 sisters, Dorothy (late George) Marcil of Franklin Lakes, NJ and Mary (John) Keyes of Los Altos, CA; a sister-in-law, Carolyn Estabrooks and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, Martin W. (Helen) Connell and brother-in-law, George Marcil.

A lifelong Troy resident, he was educated at Sacred Heart School, Catholic Central High School class of 1939 and Siena College, class of 1947.

Mr. Connell, an outstanding athlete, was captain of the CCHS varsity basketball, football, and baseball teams as well as a member of Catholic Central's Championship Baseball team. He was later selected to the 5 man teams representing the 1930-1939 period on the City of Troy All Time Centennial All-Star Basketball team. He was also elected to CCHS athlete Hall of Fame. After high school, Mr. Connell attended Siena College on a Basketball Scholarship where he was also Vice President of the Student Senate, named to Who's Who in American Universities and Colleges and was elected President of the Siena College National Alumni.

After serving in the U.S. Army during WWII in the European Theatre, he returned to Siena to finish his college career and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration. He became an Auditor and Public Accountant serving many local businesses and worked for several years on the staff of a CPA firm auditing large local colleges and industries. He served as Deputy Commissioner of Taxation and Budget Director for the City of Troy under Mayor Edward Fitzgerald. In 1987, he retired from the N.Y.S. Insurance Department where he supervised and directed all audits and investigations in Upstate and Western New York.

A lifelong sports enthusiast, Mr. Connell was director of the Patroon Club Basketball League. At Spring Little League, he managed the Sacred Heart team to 3 consecutive League Championships and 2 consecutive District 14 All-Star Championships. He was later recognized for his player agent services.

He enjoyed participating in and following the athletic careers of his children and grandchildren, especially R.P.I. hockey and baseball and Pittsburgh Penguins and Albany River Rats hockey. His biggest thrill was being able to see his grandson play in a NHL hockey game.

Tom also loved big band music and loved to go dancing with Shirley. He enjoyed attending his grandson's band and chorus concerts as well as his musical stage shows.

Tom and his family wish to express their gratitude and appreciation to the many people who have cared for him and Shirley; their wonderful care givers - Marguerite, Eileen, Sheila, Renae, Mary and Shirley T.; the nurses at Samaritan Hospital, especially Mary Rose and the 6th floor staff.

Special thanks to Dr. John O'Bryan for his care and compassion. We also wish to acknowledge the Troy Fire Department and Paramedics for their professional expertise, response, and service.

Funeral service will be held Wednesday at 10:30 AM at Sacred Heart Church Pawling Avenue Troy where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated.

Relatives and friends may call at the Bryce Funeral Home, Inc. 276 Pawling Avenue Troy on Tuesday from 4-8 PM.

Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery Troy.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your local Alzheimer's Association or Catholic Charities Caregivers program. For a private family guest book and service directions, visit www.brycefh.com.

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