John Hazen McConnell, Alumnus, BEd '74

John Hazen McConnell died peacefully in his sleep on December 30, 2020, with his beloved partner Kevin Hewitt at his side. John was 70 years old.

Born March 18, 1950, in Montreal to Mary Priscilla Hazen and John Edward McConnell, John grew up in Toronto and earned his B.Sc. at the University of Toronto.

After moving to San Diego in 1978, John attended California School of Professional Psychology. He completed his Marriage and Family Therapist License in 1986, and his PhD in 1988. John served as executive director of the San Diego LGBT Community Center in 1986, opening his private practice that same year in Hillcrest, an historically gay area in San Diego. Through his work, both paid and pro bono, he expressed deep commitment to sexual/gender freedom and self-expression, and to the LGBTQ community. When he retired in October 2020, John wrote eloquently on his professional website about his lifelong commitment and sense of calling. 

In addition to his partner Kevin Hewitt, John is survived by his brother Malcolm Hazen McConnell, sister-in-law Dawn, and nieces Meaghan (and her husband Andre and daughter Madelein), Chelsea (and her husband Tom and their children Molly and Hazen) and Chloe (and her husband Lars). John was preceded in death by both parents and by his sister Mary Creaghan McConnell.

Donations honoring John and his life can be made to Leather Archives and Museum, Tom of Finland Foundation or the San Diego LGBT Community Center.