PRESQUE ISLE – Peter G. McConnell, 80, died Saturday, June 9, 2007, with family and friends close by, at his home, from cancer. He was born Aug. 7, 1926, in Portage, the son of William B. and Bernice E. (Randall) McConnell. Peter attended school in Portage and graduated from Ashland High School, and then joined the U.S. Navy, serving his country during the South Pacific and Korean War. On his return to Maine, he attended Bliss Business College, Lew-iston and then acquired a position at Presque Isle High School, teaching business law, math and bookkeeping. Peter joined Chester M Kearney Co., became a certified public accountant and a partner in that company. In 1964, he served as treasurer to Thomas S. Pinkham, owner of Pinkham Lumber, Inc., and then became comptroller when Great Northern Paper Co., Millinocket, acquired this establishment. For several years, he worked independently, serving his clients with loyalty, trust, dedication and encouragement. From his youth, as he helped his parents operate a sporting camp on Round Pond, T 14 R8 and obtaining a guide’s license on surrounding lakes and rivers, he acquired a deep appreciation for nature and its wonders. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, berrying and a good game of cribbage most anywhere. Peter took an interest in the growth of Presque Isle, Aroostook County and the state of Maine. He served on the Presque Isle Recreation and Parks Board, seven years as chairman. National and State Awards were given to him for work in this field. He was appointed by Gov. J. Longley to the Maine Critical Areas Advisory Board for three years and re-appointed by Govs. Brennan and McKernan for several years more. He served as president of the board of directors of the A.R. Gould Memorial Hospital, a dedicated member of the board of directors at the Maine Mutual Group, worked with the Finance Committee at University of Maine – Presque Isle, chaired the Business Advisory Committee, at Northern Maine Vocational Institute, served on the National Socio-Economic Committe, was a member of the Maine Society of Certified Public Accountants and member and treasurer for many years for the Congregational Church of Presque Isle. Peter is survived by his wife, Helen (O’Seep) McConnell of Presque Isle and Belchertown, Mass.; a son, Mark E. McConnell; his wife, Donna Dubois; and grandson, Matthew Grant McConnell of Cumberland; a daughter, Mary Ellen and her husband, Timothy Enders; grandsons, Thomas and William of Rochester, N.Y.; and daughter, Roseann M. and fianc?, David M. Chadbourne of Portland. He leaves his brothers, William and James and wife, Bessie Mc-Connell; sister, Mary McConnell Little and her husband, Edward, all of Presque Isle. Nieces include, Nanci Little of Presque Isle, Janice Little Scribner and her husband, Douglas, of Lutz, Fla., Marcia McConnell Cubra of Albuquerque, N.M., and several nieces in North Carolina; nephews include, Marcus McConnell and friend, Marty, of Millinocket, Stuart McConnell and his wife, Kate, of Belgrade; sisters-in-law, Florence McConnell of West Springfield, Mass., and Anne C.R. O’Seep of Belchertown, Mass. The family would like to thank the many special friends and neighbors, particularly Ruth Collins of Hospice of Aroostook, as well as Drs. Jones and Pelli, and Thomas and Judy Deschaine for their unyielding support and comfort. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a service of remembrance with thanksgiving for the life of Peter 1 p.m. Saturday, June 16, at Presque Isle Congregational Church. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make donations in Peter’s memory to Hospice of Aroostook, P.O. Box 688, Caribou, ME 04736-9976, Presque Isle Congregational Church, 27 Church St., Presque Isle, ME 04769 or to the charity of your choice. Arrangements are in the care of Duncan-Graves Funeral Home. Condolences may be expressed at www.duncan-graves.com
PETER G. MCCONNELL
