William T. Connell

East Providence William T. "Bill" Connell, 78, of Riverside, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 2, 2014, at the Philip Hulitar Hospice Center. He was the beloved husband of Carol L. (Davol) Connell. They were married for 53 years.Born in the Fox Point neighborhood of Providence, he was a son of the late Joseph W. and Helen M. (Sheehan) Connell.He served his country proudly in the Rhode Island Army National Guard for several years.Bill worked as a technician for New England Telephone, AT&T, and then Lucent Technology for 25 years. He later established East Bay Telephone which he ran for ten years before retiring.He was a member of the American Legion-Post 10, Riverside, and the Fox Point Boys Club, where he was inducted into their Hall of Fame in November, 1989. An avid tennis player, Bill was also a member of the Kendbrin Swim and Tennis Club in Riverside for many years, and was a tennis coach at East Providence High School, Barrington High School, Mount Hope High School, and Seekonk High School.In addition to his wife Carol, he leaves his children, William J. Connell, and his wife Diane, of North Smithfield, Nancy L. Rippel, and her husband Brian, of Spotsylvania, Virginia; Michael T. Connell, of Riverside; a sister, Helen M. Reilly; and four granddaughters, Amanda C. Connell, Nicole E. Connell, Chloe M. Rippel and Eva H. Rippel. He was the brother of the late Joseph E. Connell and John F. "Jack" Connell.The funeral will be held Monday, at 8:45 am, from the Russell J. Boyle & Son Funeral Home, 331 Smith Street, Providence. Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am in Saint Brendan Church, 60 Turner Avenue, Riverside. Burial with military honors will be in Saint Mary of the Bay Cemetery, Warren. Visiting hours Sunday, 3:00 - 6:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Boys and Girls Club of Providence, Fox Point Clubhouse, 90 Ives Street, Providence, RI 02906 in his memory would be appreciated.