– Dr. Frederick M. S. McConnel (Mac), age 79, of Atlanta, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, February 12, 2021, surrounded by his devoted family. He was born in Virginia in November 1941 to Fred Louis McConnel and Hildred Scovil McConnel. Fred is survived by his wife, Marianne Roddenberry, son Huntley McConnel, daughter Mary Anne Ericson (Brian), and son Fred McConnel (Amber) all of Atlanta. Also surviving is his sister Lucinda McConnel Watson of Orinda, California. He is also survived by his beloved grandchildren William, Max, and Isabel Ericson, and Avery McConnel, all of Atlanta, as well as Anne Collier, mother of Huntley and Mary Anne. Mac grew up in Asheville, NC and attended UNC Chapel Hill. He completed his residency at Northwestern University where he and another doctor invented a voice prosthesis for patients who had lost their vocal cords through surgery. Upon retirement, Mac pursued many hobbies and interests. The passion for sailing led him into racing sailboats in Panama City’s St. Andrews Bay, Lake Lanier, and Key West. He pursued model railroading, eventually filling his basement with trains, buildings, and scenery and created a remarkable replica of the railroads of Western North Carolina.
Please consider a donation to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 435 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308 or to the Saluda Historic Depot and Museum, PO Box 990, Saluda, NC 28773.