John H. McConnell, founder of Worthington Industries and majority owner of the Columbus BlueJackets hockey team, died Friday after a long illness, 10TV Sports reported.
He was 84.
A West Virginia native, McConnell identified a niche in the industry for custom steel processingservices while working for Weirton Steel Corp. According to the Worthington Industriescompany Web site, he used his 1952 Oldsmobile as collateral for a loan and, in 1955, launchedWorthington Industries and the steel processing industry.
DISCUSS: The Life Of John McConnell
Today, the company he founded in Columbus is traded on the New York Stock Exchange and employs8,000 people in 69 facilities in 11 countries. It has annual sales of approximately $3 billion,according to the company.
McConnell and his wife, Peggy, contributed $7.5 million to help develop the Heart Hospital atRiverside, part of the OhioHealth Corp. Their gift was the largest single gift received byOhioHealth Corp. or Riverside Methodist Hospital.
"My father's legacy is how he treated people and that will live on in this company through allthose who have worked here, past and present," said Worthington Industries Chairman and CEO John P.McConnell. "His principles and wisdom are ingrained in our philosophy and that will never change.While it's hard to imagine not having him here, we are comforted by the fact that his guidance willalways be with us."
McConnell played football at Michigan State University and always loved sports, according to hisbiography released by Worthington Industries. He was the majority owner of the Columbus BlueJackets National Hockey League franchise that started playing in October 2000.
He was also one of the early investors of the Columbus Crew Major League Soccer team andpreviously was a minority owner of the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball club.
"Columbus today lost a leader and a city father with the passing of Mr. Mac - John H.McConnell," Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman said in a statement. "He was a great friend,businessman, innovative industrial entrepreneur and generous philanthropist. John's civiccommitment helped build a greater community and made all of our lives better. Our thoughtsare with the family today."
McConnell was named Chief Executive Officer of the Year by Financial World magazine and IndustryWeek magazine recognized him for Excellence in Management. He is the recipient of the Horatio AlgerAward and the National Football Foundation Gold Medal Award. He received the 33rd degree ScottishRite Mason, the Ohio Governor's Award and the Michigan State University Outstanding Alumni Award.He was inducted into the Junior Achievement National Business Hall of Fame, the Central OhioBusiness Hall of Fame and the Columbus Hall of Fame.
McConnell was diagnosed with liver cancer last winter, the Columbus Dispatch reported.
Peggy McConnell died in 2005. The couple was married for 59 years.
McConnell is survived by his son, John P. McConnell of Galena, Ohio and his daughter, Margaretof New Orleans, Louisiana. Mr. McConnell is also survived by six grandchildren: Casey Kollis; andJennifer, John H. II, Jessica, Porter and Colin McConnell. He will be cremated and funeralarrangements are pending.
Stay with 10TV News and refresh 10TV.com for additional information.
