Riley Connell was a batboy for the fabled 1952 Eau Claire Bears squad. In later years, Riley recounted a story of a time when he bought a hot dog for Henry Aaron but didn't get reimbursed. So when Aaron came back for the statue dedication at Carson Park, Riley said, he would see if he could collect. I need to do some digging to find the actual story, and I'll share it with you once I do. I'm sure there are a few items I'm leaving out.
I wrote to Riley a few years ago, hoping to meet up with him so he could share some of his stories from the Bears dugout. As with so many other people, it never came to be.
Sadly, Riley passed away this week at the way-too-young age of 67. Here is his obituary as it appeared in the Eau Claire Leader-Telegram:
Riley E. Connell of Baraboo died Monday, Dec. 11, 2006, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, at the age of 67, after a sudden illness.
He was born to Charles “Eddy” and Catherine (Prissel) Connell in Eau Claire on March 24, 1939. He graduated from Regis High School in 1957. After serving his country in the U.S. Army, he returned to Eau Claire and was employed by Peters Meats. He married Mary Kay Craemer in 1964. They had two children, Riley John and Claudine, both of Eau Claire. In 1972, he married Sandra (Hering) Berghand, and moved to Janesville where he was a salesman with Baraboo Sysco Foods. They had a daughter, Catherine, of La Crosse. He retired from Baraboo Sysco Foods in 2004.
In addition to his wife and children, Riley is survived by his stepchildren, Ron (Nancy) Bergh of East Grand Forks, Minn., Vicky (Ken) Wright and Cindy Bergh, both of Janesville; a half-sister, Jeanie (Bruce) Cameron of Tampa, Fla.; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends.
Riley was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Dan Connell.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2006, at the Redlin Funeral Home, 401 Madison Ave., Baraboo, with Father Larry Bakke officiating.
Friends may call on Friday, Dec. 15, from 5 to 8 p.m. and on Saturday from noon until the time of services at the funeral home.
My deepest sympathies to Riley's family.
