John Leanney McConnell, 80, of Aston died May 24, 2014 at Crozer-Chester Medical Center. Born in Philadelphia, son of the late James B. and Jenny Leanney McConnell, he lived in Media prior to moving to Aston in 1954.


John was a graduate of Girard College, class of 1952 and attended night school at PMC (now Widener University). He worked at the Piasecki Helicopter Corporation and later Boeing Vertol before joining the Aston Police Department on July 1, 1970. He held positions as patrolman and investigator before being promoted to the rank of sergeant working in the patrol division and then moved on to sergeant of detectives. John was also the Acting Chief of Police for a six month period between the retirement of one chief and the hiring of the next. He retired after 26 years of service in July of 1996.


John was an active member and Vice-President of the Fraternal Order of Police, Delaware County Lodge #27. He was also the treasurer of the Delaware County Field and Stream Association. He loved to travel and along with his wife went on many cruises, he also enjoyed photography and driving in his convertible.


He was husband of the late Rosalita T. "Rose" O'Neill McConnell who died March 1, 2002 after 47 years of marriage, father of the late Dennis J. McConnell who died in 1989 and brother of the late James S. and James D. McConnell.


Survivors: father of John W. McConnell (Cynthia), Stephen P. McConnell (Debra) and Ellen Narvell (Timothy), father-in-law of Tami Shahadi, also eleven grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and his dog Max IV.


Funeral Mass: 10 AM Friday at St. Francis de Sales R.C. Church, 35 New Rd., Aston


Visitation: 7 to 9 PM Thursday and 8:15 to 9:15 AM Friday at the White-Luttrell Funeral Home, 3551 Concord Rd., Aston.


Burial: Philadelphia Memorial Park.