John F. McConnell

McConnell, John Finnie Sr.
John Finnie McConnell Sr., 88, of Pittsburgh, passed away Saturday, May 20, 2023, surrounded by his
loving family in his home.
Born April 22,1935, in Pittsburgh, he was the son of the late Robert McConnell and Janet (Finnie)
McConnell.
John graduated one year early in 1952 from Langley High School and continued his education at Bucknell
University. He graduated from Bucknell in 1956 with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering.
John had been active with the ROTC program at Bucknell, and he enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves
following his graduation. He served for 10 years as a captain, before he was honorably discharged.
On Sept. 1,1957, John married the love of his life Lillie (Hindes) McConnell.
John took his engineering expertise to PPG, where he steadily built a reputation for himself as a licensed
professional engineer. John specialized in the machines used in glass making. He holds multiple patents
through his decades working for the company from which he eventually retired.
In 1995, John earned a Phoenix Award, a committee-selected honor recognizing someone who has
made significant and major contributions to any phase of the glass industry.
In his free time, John enjoyed playing the piano and organ. He also pushed himself to walk 5 miles each
day, rain or shine, until his health prevented him from doing so.
John had many interests, but they always revolved around his family and the church in some way.
Through love and faith, John and Lillie created the foundation for a close-knit family. He took great pride
in the accomplishments of all his children and grandchildren.
John and Lillie are longtime members of United Presbyterian Church in Crafton Heights, which they have
supported with charitable contributions and acts of service.
John is survived by his children, John McConnell Jr. and his wife, Maura, Carol (McConnell) Abel and her
husband, Ed, and Karen (McConnell) Seeberger and her husband, Todd; his grandchildren, James Fuhs
and his wife, Kirstin, Jared Fuhs and his fiancee Emma, Gregory Pencosky and his longtime girlfriend,
Carly, Caleb McConnell, Maggie McConnell, Caitlin (Abel) Bottiger and her husband, Nathan, Nathan
Abel, Haylee Seeberger and her longtime boyfriend. Jack, and Noah Seeberger; his great-grandchildren.
Rowan Fuhs, Irene Bottigerand soon-to-be-born Harlow Rebecca Fuhs; his siblings, Robert McConnell
and his wife Marlene; and an large number of nieces, nephews and their children and grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, John is preceded in death by his daughter Rebecca (McConnell) Fuhs, whose
husband James Fuhs survives, and Janet (McConnell) Pencosky and her late partner, John Rackie; and his
sister, Janet (McConnell) Lutz and her late husband, Robert.
Friends received at the Hershberger-Stover Inc. Funeral Home and Cremation Service,  170 Noble Ave., Crafton on Wednesday 2-4 and 6-8 PM where a Prayer Service will be Thursday at 9:30 AM followed by the interment in Chartiers Cemetery.  A Memorial Service will follow at 11 AM in the First United Presbyterian Church of Crafton Heights, 50 Stratmore Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15205 with Rev. Dave Carver officiating. In lieu of flowers, please send charitable contributions to the First United Presbyterian Church of Crafton Heights.
www.hershberger-stoverfh.com

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