This notice of Mr. McConnell’s passing was sent to us recently. Robert J. McConnell Jr., a former USCF member from Whitinsville, Massachusetts, formerly of Northbridge, Mass., died June 2, 2008 in St. Camillus Nursing Center in Whitinsville. He was 84. Mr. McConnell was born Dec. 12, 1923 in Salem, Mass., the son of Robert J. McConnell Sr. and Sadie (Wakefield) McConnell. He attended public schools in Northbridge and graduated from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, serving in the Pacific theater. A certified public accountant, Mr. McConnell was a partner at the Singer & Lusardi accounting firm in Worcester, Mass. for many years, retiring in 2005. Active in over-the-board chess two decades ago, he competed in tournaments at the Worcester Chess Club in the early 1990s and participated in events at the former Milford (Mass.) Regional Chess Club in the mid-1990s. He was also a correspondence player. In addition to chess, Mr. McConnell enjoyed woodworking and playing the piano. His wife of 55 years, Priscilla "Sis" (Leonard) McConnell, died in 2002. Burial was in St. Patrick's Cemetery in Whitinsville.