Harold McConnaughay, 86, of Whitman, Mass., formerly of Batavia, a power-tool designer, died Saturday, Feb. 23, in Brockton, Mass., after an illness. Born in Bluford, Ill., Mr. McConnaughay moved in 1934 with his family to the St. Charles area, where he graduated from St. Charles High School. He married Wilma Larson in 1942 and the couple moved to Batavia, where they raised their family in the Fox Valley area. He served during World War II as a gunner with Company A of the 654th Tank Destroyer Division and was stationed in England, France, Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg and Germany. Upon his discharge in 1945, Mr. McConnaughay attended a technical training school and was hired as a draftsman for Thor Power Tool Co. in Aurora and then Sunbeam in Chicago. He also worked for Skil Power Tools in Chicago, where he designed many tools and patented the Skil portable circular saw. Retiring after about 20 years at Skil, he and his wife moved to Boynton Beach, Fla. In 1990, the couple moved to Whitman to live with their daughter. After his wife’s death in 1992, Mr. McConnaughay lived in Whitman, where family members said he devoted his life to serving God, his family and his community. He worshiped and served in Batavia Covenant Church, Lake Worth Covenant Church andCommunity Covenant Church in East Bridgewater, Mass. He also taught Sunday school for several years in Kane County Youth Home, conducted services at a retirement home in Batavia, and participated in a prison ministry. Survivors include a son, Stephen; two daughters, Judith Simulis and Rebecca Merrill; three brothers, Lloyd, Stanley, and David; three sisters, Helen, Norvin, and Lucille Cornell; and 13 grandchildren. Visitation will be from noon to 1 p.m. Saturday in Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn.
