I love you, grandpa. See you again someday down the road…
From Observer-Reporter.com
James A. McConnell
Watercolor artist, World War II veteran
James Alexander McConnell, 88, of Houston, died Tuesday, February 16, 2010, in Canonsburg General Hospital.
He was born December 23, 1921, in Canonsburg, a son of William W. and Ethel M. Templeton McConnell.
Mr. McConnell was a lifelong member of Canonsburg United Presbyterian Church, serving as elder and trustee.
He was a 1940 graduate of Canonsburg High School.
Mr. McConnell entered the service in 1942 and served three and a half years in the U.S. Army Air Forces as an aerial photographer gunner, commissioned single-engine pilot and B-29 Superfortress flight engineer.
While stationed in Amarillo, Texas, he met and married Lona Conners, who survives. They were happily married for 64 years.
His two passions in life were his family and his love for painting. He attended the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. His commercial art education led him to a 38-year career with Duquesne Light Co. Retirement permitted him to spend more time doing what he loved most, painting. Concentrating on watercolor, he developed his own style and technique of watercolor painting. He was a member of Pittsburgh Watercolor Society, Pittsburgh Society of Artists and Bethel Artists Guild. He was often requested to instruct classes, conduct workshops and give demonstrations on his approach to watercolor painting. His landscapes and florals expressed his imagination and individualism as an artist. He created many architectural portraits. Among his works are paintings of the Washington County Courthouse, LeMoyne House, Church of the Covenant, many private homes, several buildings on the Washington & Jefferson College campus and four historical buildings of Williamsburg, Va. His watercolor of One Oxford Center, headquarters of Duquesne Light in Pittsburgh, was used by the utility company on a Christmas card and on the cover of the company magazine. From that experience, he began creating his own Christmas cards, which were eagerly awaited by friends and family. His paintings have been exhibited at W&J, California University of Pennsylvania, Wheeling Artisans Center, Stifel Gallery, Gallery 200, World West Galleries, Riehl Fine Arts Gallery, Countryside Gallery and more. He was a successful contributor to the annual Art in the Garden and was a featured artist for Art in the Round. He admired his artist friends and found much joy in their company. His painting philosophy was simple: “Strive to draw, compose and render well, presenting material that is pleasing and easily understood.”
Surviving, in addition to his wife, are a daughter, Monica Saporito (Bill) of McMurray; a son, retired Capt. James A. McConnell Jr. (Anni) of San Marino, Calif.; two grandsons, his pride and joy, Jeff Saporito (Laura) and Max McConnell; and two nieces and a nephew.
Deceased is a sister, Jane McConnell Goodwillie.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday in McIlvaine-Speakman Funeral Home Ltd., Robert K. McIlvaine, owner/supervisor, 27 Cherry Avenue, Houston, PA 15342, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, February 19, with the Rev. Thomas D. Hamilton Jr. officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Spring Cemetery, Canonsburg. Condolences may be sent by viewing the obituary at www.mcilvaine-speakman.com.