Garrett "Garry" Francis Connell Jr.

Garry Connell passed away unexpectedly on April 2, 2021, at the age of 90. He resided in Lake Mary, Florida. Garry was the son of Garrett F. Connell (deceased) and Rita Noonan Connell (deceased) of Passaic, NJ. His father was a police officer and his mother was a homemaker. Garry was preceded in death by the love of his life Frances "Fran" Lambert Connell in 2004 after 54 years of marriage. Garry spoke often of her and as a Christian looked forward to joining her in heaven. Garry is survived by his 3 sisters: Maureen Connell Orr (Ray), Colleen Connell Murphy and Denise Connell Halupka; his four daughters; Rita "Cheri" Bohrnstedt (Ron), Joda Connell, Lisle Connell Zulia, and Frances Connell; his grandchildren, Danielle Lague , Alexis Bohrnstedt Rapp (Mark), Ry Bohrnstedt (Kari), and Thomas Bohrnstedt (Dana); and seven great grandchildren, Kaleb Bohrnstedt, Rynning Bohrnstedt, Hazel Bohrnstedt, Xavier Rapp, Florian Rapp, Elise Bohrnstedt, and Vivian Bohrnstedt. Garry's sisters recounted stories about how great a big brother he was in particular, he took a job at a farm an hour away so that he could buy his sister's class ring for her and how he sent them all to Ireland for a trip of a lifetime. After high school, Garry joined the Army, 82nd Airborne at Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, NC and was trained as a paratrooper. He met Fran who was a junior cheerleader at a football game 1n which he played at Fort Bragg. It was love at first sight. Determined to offer Fran and his children the best life possible, Garry often worked three jobs at once in the early days of their marriage. As a result of his tenacity, ambition, work ethic, and intelligence, Garry was President of an insurance company by the age of thirty. From there he dealt in mergers and acquisitions owning a myriad of companies and tax shelters. He was proud of the fact that prior to becoming President Ronald Reagan sat on one of his company's board of directors. His last company before retirement was a gardenia nursery in Apopka, Connell Farms. While at Connell Farms, he attended Rollins College for his undergraduate degree and earned a Master's of Arts Degree in Counseling. After graduation, he served as a volunteer facilitator in the master's Counseling program for several years. Garry had a passion for learning and attended Oxford College where he studied physics and philosophy over multiple summers. Garry lived life to the fullest; was known for his generosity; and built many lasting friendships. He loved playing golf and gin rummy with his friends, traveling with them, sharing funny stories and playing practical jokes. He was a consummate dog lover. Garry was a former member of Interlachen Country Club, the Winter Park Racquet Club, Congressional Country (Potomac, Maryland) and Ballybunion Golf Club (Kerry, Ireland). Due to COVID 19 restrictions, the memorial service on Saturday, May 22 at l 0:00 am is by invitation only. St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Lake Mary will be live streaming the service at www.stpeterslakemary.org. Garrett will be laid to rest in North Carolina. The family suggests in lieu of flowers a donation in his honor be made to the St. Peter's Sanctuary Fund.

Garrett "Garry" Francis Connell Jr.

July 27, 1930 - April 2, 2021