Sgt. James F. Connell, Sr

Providence Sgt. James F. Connell (PPD RET), 79, of Port Saint Lucie, Florida, Matunuck R.I., and a former resident of Providence R.I., died peacefully Thursday, March 10, 2016 in Martin Memorial Hospital, Stuart, Fl. He was the beloved husband of Linda M. (Kinney) Loomer Connell and of the late Ida M. (Gianlorenzo) Connell. He was born in Providence R.I., the son of the late Sgt. Edward J. Connell (PPD RET) and Catherine E. (Delehanty) Connell.Besides his wife, James is survived by his daughters, Lynda Connell of Barrington, RI, Miranda R. Connell of Port Saint Lucie, Florida and his sons, James F, David P. and his wife Tammie, Edward M. and his companion Kathy Giuliano, all of Florida, Andrew J. and his wife, Ashlee of CA. James was also the father of the late Kevin J. Connell. He leaves his grandchildren, Tyler and Hunter Tannock of Barrington RI, David Connell of CA and Michael Connell and his wife Tami of Deerfield Beach, Florida, his sister-in-law, Judith (Kinney) McCarthy, wife of the late Cornelius McCarthy and their children, Jennifer A. McCarthy, Michael J. McCarthy, William J. McCarthy and his wife, Debora and their children William III, Lauren and James.James attended Providence schools and then entered the U. S. Navy.James joined the Providence Police Department in May 1962 and after serving 22 years, retired as a Sergeant in 1984. Over the next six years, he worked for the Rhode Island DMV. James and his father, Edward, owned and operated the Matunuck Snack Bar for over 28 years. James was a member of the Providence Police Association, Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 3, and the Retired Police and Fire Association.James, for the next 20 years fulfilled his two passions, boating and Duke University basketball.The funeral will be held Monday, March 21, 2016 at 9:45 am, from the Russell J. Boyle & Son Funeral Home, 331 Smith Street, Providence, RI. Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am in Saint Augustine Church, 635 Mount Pleasant Avenue, Providence, RI. Visiting hours Sunday, March 20, 2016 from 5:00 -8:00 pm. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Providence, RI.In lieu of flowers, James and his family have requested that donations be made to The Kevin J. Connell, J.D. Memorial, Golden Gate University, University Advancement, 536 Mission St., San Francisco, CA 94105, Attn: Fund # HESS 2160.Florida funeral arrangements entrusted to Martin Funeral Home, Stuart, Fl. For on line condolences, visit [email protected] (Guest Book) and local arrangements and on-line condolences, visit boyleandsonfuneralhome.com