Cecil McConnell

Cecil M. McConnell USN RET, 84, of Bremerton, died at home Sept. 29. He was born in Baldwin, Kansas to Lelah May and Robert G. McConnell. He was preceded in death by his parents and 13 brothers and sisters.

At age 17, he joined the Navy. On Aug. 1, 1950, he married Mae Wuethrick. They raised three children.

During the course of his Navy career, Cecil served at numerous naval stations within the United States, including the National Security Agency in Washington D.C. and Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.

His final year of service was spent aboard the USS Delta (AR-9), installing and programming some of the first computer systems to be placed aboard US naval ships. He was a member of the All Navy Rifle and Pistol Team, becoming distinguished in both and earning many marksmanship excellence awards in competitions throughout the United States.

He was invited to compete in the 1963 Pan-American Games, but his duties prevented his attendance. He retired from the Navy in 1967 as a Chief Petty Officer, and moved his family to Bremerton, where he had once been stationed.

In the years following his retirement from the Navy, Cecil worked as a computer specialist for Naval Torpedo Station Keyport; the State of Washington; and Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. He retired in 1985.

He had always been an avid rifle and bow hunter and was a life-long member of the NRA. He had been a member of the Bremerton Trap and Skeet Club and the Kitsap Bowhunting Club. In 1991, he opened the Kitsap Archery shop out of his home. He sold the business in 1996, when he was elected to the Bremerton City Council for the first of four terms.

Cecil enjoyed golfing (achieving four hole-in-ones at Rolling Hills), painting, wood carving, skeet and trap shooting, archery and shooting the breeze with friends every weekend at local eating establishments.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years; his son, Robert McConnell, Bremerton; his daughters Michele (Jim) Turowski, Seabeck; and Patricia (Ernie) Maxon, Port Orchard; three grandchildren, Ray (Kirstie) Turowski, Jason Turowski and Andrea (Sam) Overturf; four great-grandchildren; and numerous nephews and nieces.

A Celebration of Life will be Oct. 11, at 11 a.m. at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Bremerton. Memorials may be made to Emmanuel Lutheran Church Kitchen Fund. An online memorial can be seen at www.lewischapel.com.