James Raymond Connell

Age 89

A resident of Chevy Chase, MD, James Raymond Connell passed away peacefully on May 8th, 2021, leaving behind his loving wife, Genevieve (Jean), of 63 years, along with his five children: Jennifer Clare Wire (Rod), Paul Joseph (Darlene), Brian McMahon, James Perry (Tara), and Ellen Genevieve, as well as six grandchildren and four great grandchildren. He also leaves behind his brothers Joseph Connell and Charles Connell (Beth, dec.), as well as four nephews and two nieces. He is preceded by his late sister, Catherine Koch (Arne).

Born August 25, 1931 in Denver, CO, to Dr. Joseph E. A. Connell and Ruth Bailey Connell, Jim attended Catholic schools from Kindergarten through College, including Regis College (now Regis University) in Denver, CO from 1949-1953. He is uncertain whether he is prouder of his exploits in centerfield (where he played well enough to be contacted by a professional baseball scout) or graduating Cum Laude with a degree in Business Administration.

After college, Jim spent 2 years serving active duty in the United States Marine Corps from 1953 - 1955, stationed in Japan and Hawaii, and then 10 years in the Reserves, retiring with the rank of Major.

Next came Graduate school with a Degree in Business and Finance from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.

Jim married Genevieve (Jean) Perry of Washington DC on September 14, 1957. Their extraordinary devotion to each other lasted 63 years and created a family of five children.

Jim began his career at Norman Bernstein Management, Inc. in 1962 and retired from the same company as Executive Vice President on December 31, 1993.

In December 1989, Jim was appointed to the Real Estate Commission of the District of Columbia and was Chairman from 1991-1993. As a result of his membership to the commission, Jim was able to attend meetings of the National Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (NARELLO), his favorites being Anchorage and Seward, Alaska and Quebec City, Quebec.

Among other activities, Jim served on many boards of charitable organizations over the years. He spent six years on the Cemeteries Board of the Archdiocese of Washington from 1997 to 2002 and Chaired the Board his final year.

A deeply religious man, Jim was active in his home parish of Blessed Sacrament, where he served as president of the parish council from 1981 to 1983.

In his retirement years, he served on the board of advisors at Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School, where he advised on the buildings and grounds committee from 1996 to 2013, and was a board trustee from 1996 to 2002. He also served at St. Anselm’s Abbey School, where he was Chairman of the Board of Advisors from 2001 to 2006, and was a trustee from 2007 to 2008. In 2013, Jim was honored at St. Anselm’s Abbey for his many years of service to the school.

In his later years, Jim spent time playing golf at Columbia Country Club, traveling with his wife, and staying active in his church, where he attended mass daily. Jim is known for his deep faith, kindness, generosity, and public service, as well as his devotion to his wife, children, and his beloved Washington Nationals. He will be greatly missed.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, May 13th, 2021 at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, with visitation at 10 AM and Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM. A reception will follow. Burial will be private.