John Connell, 80; L.A. Philanthropist
John Connell, investment counselor and philanthropist, has died of natural causes at the age of 80.
He died Sunday in his sleep at his Pasadena home, his second wife, Kathleen, announced.
For many years, Connell served as president of the Michael J. Connell Foundation, a family trust named for his uncle, which supported several charitable organizations in which he worked.
He was a past president and chairman of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Assn. and a board member for Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles, the Coro Foundation, the J. Paul Getty Museum, Good Hope Medical Foundation, Occidental College and the Huntington Board of Overseers of San Marino.
His work for the Los Angeles County Music Center included serving as an officer of its Performing Arts Council.
Connell earned degrees from Yale University and Harvard Business School. During World War II, he served as a procurement and financial manager at Columbia University for a group developing advanced radar devices.
In addition to his wife, Connell is survived by his son, Michael J. Connell, and two grandchildren.
Services will be private. The family has asked that any memorial contributions be made to the Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles.
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