John R. McConnell was born on April 6, 1948. He enjoyed a life of privilege, but he also learned the value of giving to the community from his father, the late John G. McConnell, and his grandfather, the late John W. McConnell, both noted philanthropists. He witnessed their generous donations to various causes and decided to follow in their footsteps and become a philanthropist himself.
John R. McConnell lived for a long time in Sainte-Marguerite-du-Lac-Masson and Montego Bay, Jamaica, which he loved deeply and where he developed a passion for marlin fishing. In Jamaica he spent much of his free time on his fishing boat, the Sintra, and is remembered as an avid fisherman who loved the sea and the sport of marlin fishing.
John R. McConnell was always willing to lend a helping hand and made generous donations to various charitable and non-profit organizations. He is also remembered as a kind and generous person who had a positive impact on the lives of many people. On July 6, 2010, keen to perpetuate his family’s philanthropic legacy, he created the John Griffith Foundation, named in memory of his father.
John R. McConnell died on May 29, 2015, after a long illness. In 2016, his foundation was renamed the John R. McConnell Foundation in recognition of his philanthropic work.