John W. Connell (JC) of Delray Beach, FL passed away October 20, 2024. John was born on August 25, 1965, to Robert F. and Cleo Boldt Connell and grew up in Palos Park, IL.

With four older siblings, John received a lot of attention and enjoyed the limelight. He was involved in many activities, starting with Cub Scouts which he gave up when he discovered football. John began playing football in a youth league and continued as a Carl Sandburg High School Eagle. When there was a teacher's strike and the team couldn't practice at the high school, John convinced his mother to let the team practice in their backyard. His mother Cleo and grandma Kitty never missed an event including the state play-offs John's senior year. In the off-season John wrestled and ran track to keep in shape.

John graduated from Eastern Illinois University. His college years were enhanced when he pledged Delta Tau Delta where he made many lifelong friends and developed a love for live music, including his favorite band, The Grateful Dead. John served as President of the fraternity, an experience he fondly referred to as "the highlight of his college years!"

John's career path led him into the mortgage industry and real estate. John never met a stranger and enjoyed working with his clients who often became friends.

Shenanigans were John's specialty. He could tell a "story" like no one else could. He could convince his nieces and nephews that the sky was yellow and the sun was blue and he loved teasing each and every one of them. He loved playing tricks and making people laugh. While presiding at the wedding of his niece this past July, the ceremony was interspersed with jokes and laughter as only John could invoke!

The "Host with the Most" could describe John's love of cooking, entertaining and laughing. Whether for family or friends who he viewed as family, John was always creating a new dish or honing a favorite meal. John would drive around to his favorite markets and specialty stores to get just the right ingredients and enjoyed describing each step in the creation of a meal - sometimes over and over. Watching people enjoy his food brought him great joy.

A true armchair quarterback, John enjoyed Saturdays watching University of Michigan football with Lisette, a U of M alum. BUT, on Sundays, John loved watching HIS Chicago Bears. A true Chicagoan, whether the Bears or Cubs won or lost, John was always cheering for them.

Most importantly, the love of his life was Lisette. From the time they first met you could see the gleam in his eyes when he talked about her. They loved to travel and enjoyed Mexico, Colorado, Hawaii and so many more places. John's favorite place of all was Key West where he and Lisette spent many long weekends alone or with friends, it really didn't matter because he made friends wherever he went. Whether it was Captain Tony's, Schooners or Mallory Square, John was welcomed and felt at home. He loved the food, the people and the music and sharing it all with Lisette.

Dogs always held a special place in John's heart. When a stray showed up at the door when he was seven years old, John convinced his mother that they needed to keep it and thus started the list of dogs in John's life. John had a love for Golden Retrievers and their last four dogs were rescues.

John is survived by his wife, Lisette Valverde Connell. His sisters Patricia (Robert) O'Dell of The Villages, FL; Cathleen Unton of Midlothian, IL; brother Robert Connell of Midlothian, IL and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Ann Marie Tyree.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, November 2, 2024, at Boynton Memorial Chapel, Boynton Beach, FL. There will be a reception following John's Celebration of life 5:30 to 7:30pm at The Hampton Social, 40 NE 7th Avenue, Delray Beach, FL 33483.

As everyone knows, John was a big-hearted and funny Chicago Guy who has made tremendous memories with many of you.  I welcome you all to speak in his memory while we are gathered together at the Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Golden Rescue South Florida, from where we have rescued our last four furry family members.  Go to their website: www.goldenrescuesouthflorida.com , hit the DONATE button.  Please indicate any donation is in memory of John Connell.