Obituary of Lloyd Bert McConnell

February 13, 1937 - Ottawa, Ontario

June 6, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

Lloyd McConnell, beloved husband of Margarita (nee Sawchenko) of Calgary, AB, passed away on Tuesday, June 6, 2023 at the age of 86.

Lloyd was born in Ottawa, ON, on February 13, 1937. He then moved to Toronto, ON, with his parents William, Iva and brother Bill, where his younger brother, Keith came on to the scene. They spent a few years in Crystal City, MB with his mothers’ side of the family, while his father was away at war in Europe, and then moved to Winnipeg, MB, where his youngest brother, David was born.

Lloyd met his soon to be love of his life, Margarita in 1965 at the young adult group at Grant Memorial Baptist Church in Winnipeg, MB, and was married April 16, 1966. Shortly after that same year, Lloyd graduated from Bethel University in St. Paul, MN, with a Bachelor of Education degree and continued to pursue further education later in life.  After graduating, they moved to Edmonton, AB where Lloyd started teaching high school, as well as attending U of A until Sheri was born in 1968. Lloyd and Margarita then moved their little family to Calgary in fall of 1968, where Kevin was welcomed into the family in late 1970. Lloyd continued teaching Junior High Social Studies and was a Librarian until retirement in 1994 from the Calgary Board of Education. Along with being a lifelong learner, he was also a lifelong educator. Lloyd and Margarita moved to Bellingham, WA in 1994 where he decided to continue teaching History and other courses in grades K to 12.

Lloyd had an entrepreneurial business side, opening Canada West Driving School in Calgary in 1975, and also taught Business Management at the University of Calgary.

After spending 12 years on the West Coast, they decided to move back to Calgary where they have enjoyed their time since 2006.

Lloyd had a passion for cars all his life, restoring a 1963 Pontiac Parisienne convertible. He was able to teach both his children and three grandsons, how to drive. With Margarita by his side, he enjoyed travelling in the RV, as well as exploring many parts of the world via many adventures and cruising.

He is survived by his wife Margarita (nee Sawchenko) McConnell of Calgary, AB; daughter Sheri McConnell of Calgary, AB; son Kevin McConnell of Calgary, AB; grandsons Matthew, Joshua and Nathan McConnell of Calgary, AB; brothers Keith (Carol) McConnell and David McConnell of Minneapolis, MN; nephew Timothy (Tracy) McConnell of Fairmont, MN; niece Elizabeth (Troy) Peterson of Minneapolis, MN; nephew Jason McConnell of Minneapolis, MN; cousins Raymond Smith of Toronto, ON, Luella Stephens of Winnipeg, MB, Claire Parr  of England, Jim Cowan of Toronto, ON, Roger Cowan of Texas,  and Michael Cowan of British Columbia; and his Aunt Shirley Cowan of Toronto, ON.

Lloyd was predeceased by his father William McConnell  of Winnipeg, MB; Mother Iva McConnell (nee Sanderson) of Winnipeg, MB; brother Bill McConnell of Lake Tahoe, CA; Aunt Gladys Smith of Winnipeg, MB; Uncle Stuart Cowan; Uncle Everette Cowan of Lindsay, ON; and cousin Marilyn Wagner of Guelph, ON.

Funeral Services will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB), on Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Home. Graveside Service to follow at Queen’s Park Cemetery. Family and friends who are unable to attend in person are invited to join Lloyd’s service streamed live (see below) on the day of the service. For those who are unable to view live, a recording of the service will be posted. Condolences, memories and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

Lloyd and Margarita have always given generously to missions and have been inspired by the courageous work of Mary’s Meals. If friends and family desire, a donation can be made directly to the work of Mary’s Meals who feeds some of the world’s poorest children every day in their places of education.  Click here to donate: In Memory of Lloyd McConnell | Mary's Meals (marysmeals.ca)

In living memory of Lloyd McConnell, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.

Thank you for joining us for the live-streaming of this event

(the event start time on our video player has automatically adjusted to match your time zone)

Our technical team does everything possible to ensure the best quality of the live-stream service. 

Unfortunately there are times when the internet connection at the venue or where you are viewing from may cause interference and buffering.

We apologize if this is the case with today’s live-stream but we want to assure you that this service will be recorded and uploaded following the service.