John Waller Connell, 77, passed away on February 5, 2025, in Richmond, Virginia. He passed quickly and peacefully in his sleep.

Born on March 10, 1947, in Richmond, John attended Douglas Freeman High School before continuing his education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

But Richmond was never truly home to John. He had a deep appreciation for the outdoors and found joy in hunting, fishing, and crabbing. Whether casting a line or setting out on a hunt, he embraced these pastimes with enthusiasm.

He was a charter boat captain in Hatteras, North Carolina, but instead of returning to Richmond after his stint in Hatteras, John followed his heart back to Essex County. He fell in love with Essex in 1965 when he convinced his father to purchase the family’s beloved river cottage, which remains in the family to this day.

Later in life, John enjoyed photo hunts, Scrabble, solitaire, and bingo, always ready for a “friendly” game. Ever the competitor, John was known for his sense of humor and boisterous laugh. He would swear he won every game and boast to anyone that would listen that he was the best player in the world.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Anne Tyree Connell and Charles Mulford Connell, as well as his brother, Douglas Tyree Connell. He is survived by his beloved daughters, who were his heart and soul, Elizabeth Cary Connell and Alyson Campbell Connell Schlobohm, and their husbands, Jose Wilfredo Sanchez “Willy” and Christopher John Schlobohm, respectively.

John’s memory will live on through those who knew him best. May his stories, antics, and laughter continue to bring smiles to those who remember him.

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