Obituary for Dr. David Marshall "Dave" McConnell
Dr. David Marshall McConnell, EdD, 83, of Kennebunk Beach, Maine, formerly of Harwinton, Connecticut, died peacefully Sunday, June 7, 2020 in Biddeford surrounded by his family following a period of failing health.
Dave, to all who knew him, was born May 11, 1937 in Biddeford, Maine, the son of Gerald E. and Mary (Marie) Arvill Soule McConnell and grew up in Kennebunk. He was a standout student/athlete as a two sport captain/co-captain at Kennebunk High School, where he led the Rams as a quarterback, receiving the football behind a front line that was so large that all wondered how he could possibly see the defense, as a point guard on the basketball team, and was a all-star pitcher on the baseball team, throwing 2 no-hitters, 4 one-hitters and 3 three-hitters while compiling a career record of 20-6 during his four year career. In his senior year, he hurled a no-hit, 13 strikeout game versus OOB to ensure a tie for the league championship with York. It was for his baseball abilities, including a nasty curve and wicked knuckleball, that he was scouted by the Baltimore Orioles during his equally successful Twilight League play.
Opting for his education instead, Dave attended Springfield College, where he earned his Bachelor’s (1961) and Master’s Degree (1967) in Physical Education. He achieved his Sixth Year Administrative Certificate at the University of Hartford in 1981. He culminated his educational journey at Boston University earning his Doctorate in Educational Leadership, Policy and Planning in 1987.
He married his high school sweetheart Carolyn Boothby February 23, 1957, and they settled in Harwinton, CT to raise their family.
He joined the Lewis S. Mills High School in Burlington, CT as a physical education teacher in 1961, and quickly became Athletic Director, Assistant Principal and Principal, while being coach to most of sports teams at the school at one time or another. Most notable was his skilled development and fiery coaching of the Men’s Basketball Program. He led many successful teams known for their intense defensive play, such as the legendary “Cinderella” team of 1969 who were ranked last in tournament seeding and won four amazing come from behind games before losing a heartbreaker in the Final and the 1971 Spartans, a top seeded 19-1team that featured the first team to sport two All-State players. He found great satisfaction and excitement in all his teams always focused on developing the student and athlete for life. He retired in 1990 and was admitted to the LSM Athletic Hall of Fame along with his two All-State players.
Returning to Kennebunk soon there-after, Dave became Headmaster of his beloved alma mater Kennebunk High School. He was so proud to be the leader of the KHS team and dedicated himself to improve not only the facilities but the curriculum ensuring a first class education for his students. His hands on approach coupled with his trust of his core leadership team and an outstanding student body resulted in KHS to a National School of Excellence Award in 1991. He cherished the personal congratulatory note he received from President George H.W. Bush and his wife, Barbara for “representing Kennebunk, a place so dear to our hearts”. He retired in 2001, proud of replaying his debt to a place that laid the foundation for his journey in life.
Pursuing his passion for professional baseball, in 1994, Dave joined the new minor league baseball team that his friend Dan Burke was bringing to Portland ME, the Portland Sea Dogs. He became Director of Game Day Operations/Head of Ushers, a position he held until 2018. During his 25 years with the Sea Dogs, he had the privilege to meet and befriend several AA players and managers that later would become MLB stars. In 2001, Dave joined the Washington Nationals organization, serving as Director of Stadium Security and Head of Ushers at their spring training facility in Viera, FL. a position he held for 16 years. His friends joked that it took him 40 years to finally make it to Major League Baseball. His joy was being able to meet and spend time with his stadium team, MLB players, managers and special guests. Top on his list was an hour and a half chat with his coaching idol Bobby Knight reminiscing about Army Basketball and Knight’s epic fishing trips with Ted Williams, another idol of Dave’s.
Dave loved playing golf and was an active member of Webhannet Golf Club where he forged many life-long friendships with playing partners. He especially enjoyed the Member-Guest and Member-Member Tournaments, the latter he and great friend Joe Whelton won in 1987, earning him the prized green Webhannet jacket.
He was a lifelong passionate Boston Red Sox, Boston Celtics and New York Giants fan. Much to his chagrin, his three sons and two grandsons all grew up rooting for the Dallas Cowboys, and epic ribbing has occurred over the years.
As the Executive Director of the Kennebunk Beach Improvement Association (KBIA) from 1974 to 2006, Dave was instrumental in developing first class educational and enrichment programs in swimming, sailing, boating, tennis, golf, marine science and arts and crafts at the summer waterfront educational facility. He was a tireless force for fundraising capital to preserve the Strong Cottage and other major improvements such as the installation of the large in-ground pool as well as modernizing the fleet of sailing and power boats. He raised the US flag personally every morning before all arose honoring the country and troops. He dedicated his heart and soul to KBIA for 32 years always looking to find young leaders from Kennebunk and Kennebunk Beach to be counselors and counselors-in-training.
While Dave achieved outstanding success in his professional career, his true underlying talent was as joke and story teller. Name a topic or person and he had the material ready with total and colorful recall. His ability to connect with all people, regardless who they were, was a gift. He knew how to lift and help people in need. Dave had the ability and an immense network to resolve any issue. He never accepted nor would let anyone quit or give anything less than giving 110% to achieve their goals even in defeat. Dave loved the movie “Man of La Mancha” and was driven by the song “The Impossible Dream”. It was his quest right to up to the end.
The members of his surviving family whom he was blessed to see grow and succeed in all their endeavors include his wife of 63 years, Carolyn Boothby McConnell of Kennebunk Beach, his sons James E. McConnell (Sheilah) of West Simsbury, CT, USMC First Sergeant (Ret.) Mark D. McConnell (Amalia) of Yuma, AZ, and Brian S. McConnell (Tracy) of East Granby, CT, a daughter Sharon L. McConnell-Dickerson (David) of Columbus, MS, 3 grandchildren; Keith J. McConnell of Simsbury, CT Gavin and Maeve McConnell, both of East Granby, CT , and five nieces.
They are all grateful that he has been reunited with his Mom and Dad, countless friends and their family members and his two favorite dogs, “ Rebound” and Big “Red” Cowans.
Friends are invited to calling hours 4-6 PM Wednesday, June 17, 2020 at Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer St. Kennebunk. Please bring a mask to meet CDC requirements of gatherings. A private family service will be held Thursday, with two separate public celebrations of Dave’s incredible life to be scheduled and held in both Connecticut and in Maine when all can gather safely and announced by Bibber Memorial Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Dave’s memory to The Dr. David M. McConnell Memorial Scholarship Fund, benefitting students of both Lewis S. Mills High School (CT) and Kennebunk High School (ME). The Fund will be managed at Bank of America 240 W Main St, Avon, CT 06001. Please make checks payable to the “Dr. D. McConnell Memorial” and reference “Account 385027179752” in the memo line.
Dave, to all who knew him, was born May 11, 1937 in Biddeford, Maine, the son of Gerald E. and Mary (Marie) Arvill Soule McConnell and grew up in Kennebunk. He was a standout student/athlete as a two sport captain/co-captain at Kennebunk High School, where he led the Rams as a quarterback, receiving the football behind a front line that was so large that all wondered how he could possibly see the defense, as a point guard on the basketball team, and was a all-star pitcher on the baseball team, throwing 2 no-hitters, 4 one-hitters and 3 three-hitters while compiling a career record of 20-6 during his four year career. In his senior year, he hurled a no-hit, 13 strikeout game versus OOB to ensure a tie for the league championship with York. It was for his baseball abilities, including a nasty curve and wicked knuckleball, that he was scouted by the Baltimore Orioles during his equally successful Twilight League play.
Opting for his education instead, Dave attended Springfield College, where he earned his Bachelor’s (1961) and Master’s Degree (1967) in Physical Education. He achieved his Sixth Year Administrative Certificate at the University of Hartford in 1981. He culminated his educational journey at Boston University earning his Doctorate in Educational Leadership, Policy and Planning in 1987.
He married his high school sweetheart Carolyn Boothby February 23, 1957, and they settled in Harwinton, CT to raise their family.
He joined the Lewis S. Mills High School in Burlington, CT as a physical education teacher in 1961, and quickly became Athletic Director, Assistant Principal and Principal, while being coach to most of sports teams at the school at one time or another. Most notable was his skilled development and fiery coaching of the Men’s Basketball Program. He led many successful teams known for their intense defensive play, such as the legendary “Cinderella” team of 1969 who were ranked last in tournament seeding and won four amazing come from behind games before losing a heartbreaker in the Final and the 1971 Spartans, a top seeded 19-1team that featured the first team to sport two All-State players. He found great satisfaction and excitement in all his teams always focused on developing the student and athlete for life. He retired in 1990 and was admitted to the LSM Athletic Hall of Fame along with his two All-State players.
Returning to Kennebunk soon there-after, Dave became Headmaster of his beloved alma mater Kennebunk High School. He was so proud to be the leader of the KHS team and dedicated himself to improve not only the facilities but the curriculum ensuring a first class education for his students. His hands on approach coupled with his trust of his core leadership team and an outstanding student body resulted in KHS to a National School of Excellence Award in 1991. He cherished the personal congratulatory note he received from President George H.W. Bush and his wife, Barbara for “representing Kennebunk, a place so dear to our hearts”. He retired in 2001, proud of replaying his debt to a place that laid the foundation for his journey in life.
Pursuing his passion for professional baseball, in 1994, Dave joined the new minor league baseball team that his friend Dan Burke was bringing to Portland ME, the Portland Sea Dogs. He became Director of Game Day Operations/Head of Ushers, a position he held until 2018. During his 25 years with the Sea Dogs, he had the privilege to meet and befriend several AA players and managers that later would become MLB stars. In 2001, Dave joined the Washington Nationals organization, serving as Director of Stadium Security and Head of Ushers at their spring training facility in Viera, FL. a position he held for 16 years. His friends joked that it took him 40 years to finally make it to Major League Baseball. His joy was being able to meet and spend time with his stadium team, MLB players, managers and special guests. Top on his list was an hour and a half chat with his coaching idol Bobby Knight reminiscing about Army Basketball and Knight’s epic fishing trips with Ted Williams, another idol of Dave’s.
Dave loved playing golf and was an active member of Webhannet Golf Club where he forged many life-long friendships with playing partners. He especially enjoyed the Member-Guest and Member-Member Tournaments, the latter he and great friend Joe Whelton won in 1987, earning him the prized green Webhannet jacket.
He was a lifelong passionate Boston Red Sox, Boston Celtics and New York Giants fan. Much to his chagrin, his three sons and two grandsons all grew up rooting for the Dallas Cowboys, and epic ribbing has occurred over the years.
As the Executive Director of the Kennebunk Beach Improvement Association (KBIA) from 1974 to 2006, Dave was instrumental in developing first class educational and enrichment programs in swimming, sailing, boating, tennis, golf, marine science and arts and crafts at the summer waterfront educational facility. He was a tireless force for fundraising capital to preserve the Strong Cottage and other major improvements such as the installation of the large in-ground pool as well as modernizing the fleet of sailing and power boats. He raised the US flag personally every morning before all arose honoring the country and troops. He dedicated his heart and soul to KBIA for 32 years always looking to find young leaders from Kennebunk and Kennebunk Beach to be counselors and counselors-in-training.
While Dave achieved outstanding success in his professional career, his true underlying talent was as joke and story teller. Name a topic or person and he had the material ready with total and colorful recall. His ability to connect with all people, regardless who they were, was a gift. He knew how to lift and help people in need. Dave had the ability and an immense network to resolve any issue. He never accepted nor would let anyone quit or give anything less than giving 110% to achieve their goals even in defeat. Dave loved the movie “Man of La Mancha” and was driven by the song “The Impossible Dream”. It was his quest right to up to the end.
The members of his surviving family whom he was blessed to see grow and succeed in all their endeavors include his wife of 63 years, Carolyn Boothby McConnell of Kennebunk Beach, his sons James E. McConnell (Sheilah) of West Simsbury, CT, USMC First Sergeant (Ret.) Mark D. McConnell (Amalia) of Yuma, AZ, and Brian S. McConnell (Tracy) of East Granby, CT, a daughter Sharon L. McConnell-Dickerson (David) of Columbus, MS, 3 grandchildren; Keith J. McConnell of Simsbury, CT Gavin and Maeve McConnell, both of East Granby, CT , and five nieces.
They are all grateful that he has been reunited with his Mom and Dad, countless friends and their family members and his two favorite dogs, “ Rebound” and Big “Red” Cowans.
Friends are invited to calling hours 4-6 PM Wednesday, June 17, 2020 at Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer St. Kennebunk. Please bring a mask to meet CDC requirements of gatherings. A private family service will be held Thursday, with two separate public celebrations of Dave’s incredible life to be scheduled and held in both Connecticut and in Maine when all can gather safely and announced by Bibber Memorial Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Dave’s memory to The Dr. David M. McConnell Memorial Scholarship Fund, benefitting students of both Lewis S. Mills High School (CT) and Kennebunk High School (ME). The Fund will be managed at Bank of America 240 W Main St, Avon, CT 06001. Please make checks payable to the “Dr. D. McConnell Memorial” and reference “Account 385027179752” in the memo line.