Herbert J. Connell, Jr. 92 passed away at his residence February 14, 2019. He was born in Portland January 13, 1927 a son of Herbert J. Connell, Sr. and Lydia M. Cook Connell. He attended Cape Elizabeth schools graduating from Cape Elizabeth High School and then went on to graduate with a degree in chemical engineering from the University of Maine, Orono.
Mr. Connell served with the U.S. Navy during WWII from 1944- 1946 and then served during the Korean Conflict from 1951 – 1953 attaining the rank of Electronics Technician 2nd Class. He married Louise Henry Connell in 1950 who passed away in 1992, and then married Diana Wiedemann in 2000, who passed away in 2015. Mr. Connell had been a chemical engineer for S.D. Warren Paper Co. of Westbrook where he had been manager of the research lab retiring in 1990. He was instrumental along with his good friend, Cliff Black, president of Amtrack Train, in implementing train service to Portland. He served on the Amtrack board of directors for many years. For several years, accompanied by his wife Diana, he served as ambassador for Amtrack of Portland. Mr. Connell traveled extensively throughout the United States and Canada on every passenger railway system. He had volunteered for the Narrow Gauge Railroad of Portland for many years as an engineer and had served as national president of the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI). Herb enjoyed traveling, reading, fishing, model trains, being a ham radio operator and working on anything that had a motor.
He is survived by 5 daughters, Lynn L. Connell of Saco, Sharan E. Connell and her life partner Nelson Mundy of Windham, Carolyn Charlton and husband Pete of Emmaus, Pa, Jan Buck and husband Nat of Buckfield and Jill Dettling and husband Michael of Bridgton, grandchildren, Robyn Ryan of Saco, Michael LaPlante of Gardiner and the children of Carolyn, Jan and Jill.
A memorial service celebrating Herb’s life for family and close friends will be held at 1 PM Thursday at the Jones, Rich & Barnes Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St., Portland Burial will take place in the spring at Riverside Cemetery, Cape Elizabeth.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the University of Maine Pulp and Paper Foundation, Orono, Me. 04469.
Please visit www.jonesrichandbarnes for further information and to sign Herb’s guestbook.
