CONNELL, KEVIN FRANCIS - 1951 - 2014 - Fredericton - It is with heartfelt sadness that we announce the death of Kevin Francis Connell at home on Monday, May 26, 2014 in the loving presence of his family, to whom he always gave generously and for whom he always sought to provide an enriching life. He will be dearly missed by his wife and best friend, Mariette (Beaulieu), son Christopher (Cilise), and daughter Janine (Chris) Nash. He cherished being able to spend this past year with his grandson and namesake, Kevin Nash. He will also be greatly missed by his mother, Lourdes; brothers and sisters - Karen Bray; Keith (Clara Bernard); Kora (Rick) Hayward; Krista (Dean Hirtle) Connell; and Kitty Connell. He was predeceased by his father, Frank; father-in-law Adolphe Beaulieu; brother Kirby (Yvette) and nephew Patrick; brothers-in-law Thomas Bray, Rhéal Caissie and Roland (Marise) Beaulieu. Education was very important to Kevin. After graduating from his beloved St. Francis Xavier University, he obtained his Masters Degree in Social Work from Dalhousie University and then a Law Degree from the University of New Brunswick. He relished every minute of his law career, having been involved with cases as a crown prosecutor that reached the Supreme Court of Canada, national news networks, and the BBC. He had many passions in his life. His love of nature, his children and grandson, his friends, and his camp along the banks of his native Miramichi were only eclipsed by his deep affection for Mariette, with whom he was determined to celebrate their 38th wedding anniversary, which they did earlier this month. He was a man of integrity, honesty and loyalty. He faced adversity with tremendous courage, remarkable strength and a powerful spirit that inspired those who had the privilege of helping to support him throughout his illness. He taught us, by example, to seize each day with passion; to embrace the simple enduring pleasures and treasures that life offers each one of us. In the end his health failed him, something he accepted as a simple matter of fact. His sense of humour and deep spiritual strength stayed with him until the end. He brought a unique presence to every room he entered and to each person with whom he readily engaged in a conversation, thereby making it difficult for family and friends to imagine their world without him.
Visitation will be held at McAdam’s Funeral Home in Fredericton on Wednesday, May 28, from 7 to 9 pm and Thursday, May 29, from 2 to 4pm and 7 to 9pm. There will also be a visitation Friday morning at the funeral home from 9:30 to 11:30am, followed by a funeral at l'Eglise Sainte-Anne- des-Pays-Bas, 715 Priestman St., beginning at noon. In lieu of flowers the family has requested that donations be made to Myeloma Canada, the Canadian Cancer Society, or a charity of the one’s choice. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McAdam’s Funeral Home, 160 York St., Fredericton, NB, E3B 3N7; 506-458-9170; www.mcadamsfh.com