Birth date: Aug 18, 1938 Death date: Aug 5, 2019
Dennis Brooks McConnell, age 80, passed away August 5th, 2019 at Shands Hospital from complications of cancer. Dennis was born in Waupun, WI on August 18th, 1938. He graduated from Pulaski High School in 1956, and went on to serve Read Obituary
Dr. McConnell has helped many many people through his life. I am one of them. Eighteen years ago, as a new foreign student of the University of Florida, I relied heavily on Dr. McConnell's advises on academic research, as well as personal life.
I consider myself very lucky to have a mentor as knowledgeable, humorous, and caring as Dr. McConnell. I appreciate his patience, his advises, and his genuine interest in foreign culture.
Forever Grateful,
Hui Cao
I first met Dennis and his wife Ruth in the 90's when I moved to Sterling Place. We were
members of Trinity United Methodist Church but we did not know each other well until I moved into their neighborhood. About the time of my move, Trinity started a program of Neighborhood Christian Teams that met on a regular basis and defined their reason for meeting as they saw fit. About 16 neighbors defined their team, not all from Trinity and not all Methodists, but all Christians who believed in helping others and providing encouragement to each other. We met in our homes and first, we had a scrumptious dinner--usually Friday nights. We then studied with written material and videos a topic mutually selected by our group. We sang together, we shared together and we began to love each other as family. Ruth had her first bout with cancer when we were meeting together. She and Dennis bravely fought through that occurrence. We all supported each other with acts, deeds and prayers.
I do not think I could have lived through my only son's year of cancer and subsequent death without this group of fellow Christians. They helped me sell my house and downsize and move in my son. They prayed with me and when the time came they, and members of the Fishermen Sunday School Class, helped me bury my precious son.
Our Neighborhood Christian Team was one of love and sharing. Ruth and Dennis loved each other and their children and grandchildren and lived a life of caring, compassion, kindness and joy. There was always a lot of laughter when we got together and Dennis always had a "new" fact to share with us.
I am sending love and caring to Dennis and Ruth's children and grandchildren. Although I don't know each of you personally, I know all your names and I will be praying for you as you go through this period of sadness.
God Bless you and comfort you,
Rubye Beal-Fitzgerald
