Obituary of Charles E. Connell

Charles E. Connell, 88, of Lawrenceville, died on Thursday at Capital Health Regional Medical Center in Trenton. Charles was born in the Van Cleve house and spent his early years on what was then Glenburnie Farm. The Van Cleve house is now part of the Rider University campus. Charles was a lifelong resident of Lawrenceville. Charles was a World War II veteran having served in the Navy. He graduated from Trenton Catholic Boys High School and attended Rutgers University. Charles retired in 1985 as the Director of the State of New Jersey Division of Economic Development. He was also the owner of Glenburnie Feed and Grain. Charles was a member of the Church of St. Ann and served as one of the trustees. He was a member of The Knights of Columbus Lawrence Council #7000. He was a former Lawrence Township Committee member and former Lawrence Township mayor. He was also a member of the American Legion Post #414. Son of the late Charles E. Connell Sr. and Myrtle Durling Connell, and brother of the late Mary J. Butler, he is survived by his wife of 67 years, Marion Juall Connell, his two daughters and sons-in-law; Nancy and Robert Puri, and Colleen and David Estey, his grandchildren; Christopher Connell Puri and his wife Melissa, Jennifer Zakrzewski and her husband Craig, and Erin Connors and her husband Patrick, his great grandchildren; Luke and Hailey Zakrzewski, Ryann Connors, and Colin Cian Puri, his brother Daniel E. Connell, his sister Patricia Shelmet, many nieces and nephews, and many dear friends locally and in Florida. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Charles on Wednesday at 11 AM at The Church of St. Ann, 1253 Lawrence Road, Lawrenceville. Burial will be in the Lawrenceville Cemetery. Friends and family may call on Tuesday from 6 to 8 PM at the church. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Charles name to the Faith Development Center, Church of St. Ann, 1253 Lawrence Road, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648.