Samuel Mark McConnell Jr.

Samuel “Sam” Mark McConnell Jr., beloved brother, uncle and friend passed away on Sunday, December 3, 2023 in Arlington, Virginia after a very sudden decline in health. Sam was 85 years of age.

Sam was born on May 22, 1938 in Ohio. Sam had lived in California and Oregon during the earlier years of his life. He later moved to Maryland and finally settled in Virginia. Sam served in the US Navy and afterwards became an assistant golf pro in Oregon. He didn’t have the opportunity to play in tournaments but was a teaching pro. For the rest of his life, and as his health allowed, he was an avid golfer. Sam was also passionate about his career as a bus driver for Greyhound for 25 years where he chauffeured various travel groups across the country. After many years with Greyhound Sam’s last employment was with Dulles International Airport as a driver for the employee transport shuttle busses until he retired in 2017.

After Sam retired, he enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He always enjoyed driving and made a cross-country road trip to visit the Greyhound Bus Museum in Hibbing, Minnesota, which had been a lifelong dream. Sam didn’t need a GPS to go anywhere. He remembered almost every route and could tell you three different ways to get to anywhere.

Sam will always be remembered for the kind and generous person that he was. He always went out of his way to take care of his family and never missed celebrating others on their birthdays. Sam’s friends and neighbors at the Wingler House Community remember him as the go-to guy for help. If someone needed help with their T.V., figuring out the thermostat or getting a window opened, Sam was the guy they called. Sam would also very often help his neighbors with a ride to a doctor’s appointment or to the grocery store. Neighbors and friends will miss seeing Sam read the paper in the community room as he normally did every day. Sam will also be remembered for his sense of humor, and how he could easily make anyone laugh. At Christmas time he always wore his reindeer hat for the amusement of kids and adults alike. Sam was truly the epitome of the Christmas spirit, brining joy, and laughter to everyone that knew him.

Sam is survived by his sister, Linda Reilly and her husband Dennis and their children Sean Reilly and Stacey Dicks, and great nephews Quinn Reilly and Griffin Reilly. Sam is also survived by his brother Martin Arriola, sister-in-law Carmen Brooks and their children Liz Melton, Daniel Arriola, and great nephew Isaiah Arriola, great niece Sofia Melton and his dear friend Jane Marinello and many other loyal friends and extended family members. Sam was predeceased by his life partner Dale Folks.

In accordance with Sam’s wishes, he has been cremated and a celebration of life ceremony will be held at the Wingler House Community Room on Friday, December 29, 2023 at 1pm.