MONTCLAIR, NJ (July 16, 2026) — It is with deep sadness that the Board of Trustees, staff, and friends of the Montclair Public Library announce the passing of former Library Director Michael Connell, who passed away on May 4, 2026 at the age of 83 in Palm Springs. Connell served as the visionary leader of the library for twenty years, spanning from 1979 until his retirement in 1999.
Taking the helm in 1979, Michael Connell stepped into leadership during a transformative era for public libraries. Over his two decades of dedicated service, he led the library through a period of significant expansion and modernization, overseeing the main branch’s 1996 renovation and expansion and its reopening a year later. Upon his retirement from the Montclair Public Library, the board presented him with a proclamation declaring that, “in Michael Connell the citizens of Montclair had the benefit of an erudite, productive, and conscientious professional who sought to share with them his love for books, reading, and knowledge and the Library Board Township Council and Library staff were privileged to work with a contemporary who worked tirelessly to support the Library’s mission of providing Montclair with a center for lifelong learning.”
Born in Pittson, Pennsylvania, Michael graduated from Jersey City State College with a B.A. in English and subsequently earned a Master’s degree in Library Science from Rutgers University. After teaching English at Bloomfield High School, Michael worked in the Jersey City Public Library first as a Reference librarian then as the Community Coordinator and later as the Head Branch Librarian. He then served as Director of the Fort Lee Public Library until 1979 when he became the Library Director at the Montclair Public Library.
“The legacy of Michael’s leadership is visible in every corner of our library today,” said Radwa Ali, current Library Director. “His passion for literacy, lifelong learning, and the importance of community was infectious, and he is remembered with immense respect and fondness by everyone who had the privilege of working alongside him.”
Michael is survived by his husband, James Johnson, by his two children, Sara Connell and Christopher Connell, and by his three grandchildren, Maeve Connell Gaynor, Quinn Connell Gaynor, and David Connell, for whom he had unconditional love. Michael is also survived by his sister, Marianne Russo, his niece Michele Russo and his nephew Patrick Russo, his beloved extended family of in-laws, and many other loved nieces and nephews. He was predeceased in death by his parents, Lawrence Connell and Mary Dougher.