John F. Connolly

1936 - 2022

Connolly, John F. ALBANY John F. Connolly passed away on Sunday, October 16, 2022, at the age of 86. He was born in Albany on September 15, 1936, the son of the late Francis Connolly and Beatrice L. Connolly. He attended school at the Vincentian Institute and briefly at Siena College, after which he entered Mater Christi Seminary. He continued his studies at Saint Joseph's Dunwoodie in Yonkers, N.Y. and was ordained to the priesthood by the Most Reverend William A. Scully in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany on May 23, 1964. He continued his studies after ordination at Siena College in Loudonville, where he earned a master's degree in educational administration. He then served as an instructor at Cardinal McCloskey High School in Albany for a period of five years and was subsequently named principal of Saint Peter's High School in Saratoga Springs. In 1972 he was appointed principal of Cardinal McCloskey High School. In 1976, following a period of four years, he was made pastor at Saint Anne's in Waterford. In 1982, he became pastor at Our Lady of Victory in Troy. He later served as pastor at our Lady of Fatima in Delanson. Following his tenure in Delanson, he was asked to serve in a variety of administrative positions at the Pastoral Center in Albany. He retired in 2006. Throughout his ministry he served in a variety of positions. In 1970, he entered the Air National Guard as chaplain and served the 105th Tactical Support Group at the Westchester County Air Base. In 1974, he transferred to the New York Army National Guard and was assigned to the 205th Support Group based in Troy. Subsequent military assignments were at Troop Command Headquarters, 42nd Infantry Headquarters, and finally state staff chaplain of the New York Army National Guard. He retired into the rank of brigadier general in 1995. During his time in Waterford, he was elected to the Waterford Halfmoon School Board where he served as president until 1982. Additional affiliations throughout the years included chaplain to the New York State Police PBA, faculty lecturer at the New York State Police Academy, a member of the board of the Saratoga Springs YMCA, professional consultant for the Center for Urban Redevelopment and Education in Latham, a member of the National Education Association and a member of the Albany Diocesan Association of Secondary School Principals. He was predeceased by his parents and his brother, James R. Connolly. He is survived by his sister-in-law, Karyn Connolly; his nephew, Stephen (Mollie); his nieces, Meghan Connolly Haupt (Gordy) and Rebeka Connolly Balsamo (Joseph); and many grandnieces, grandnephews and close friends. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Friday at 12 p.m. in St. Vincent DePaul Church, 900 Madison Ave. (at Partridge Street), Albany with the interment immediately following in Our Lady Help of Christians Cemetery in Glenmont. There will be no public viewing hours. To express your sympathy or share a treasured memory, please visit Brendesefuneralhome.com