ROBERT CONNAGHAN

Robert V. Connaghan Maintenance mechanic, St. Patrick's Day Parade deputy grand marshal and 2001 Irishman of the Year, 79 Robert V. Connaghan, 79 died on Jan. 31, 2015. The funeral will be from the Thiele-Reid Family Funeral Home, 585 Belgrove Dr., Kearny, N.J., on Friday at 9 a.m. A Funeral Mass will be offered at St. Cecilia Church, Kearny, at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington, N.J. Visiting will be on Thursday from 4 to 9 p.m. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.thiele-reid.com. Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Mr. Connaghan had lived in Kearny for the last 50 years. He was a maintenance mechanic for Abbott Laboratories in Whippany, N.J., for 20 years, retiring in 2008. Robert was an avid Celtic supporter, and was a member of the Irish-American Association of Kearny. In 2001, he was named Irishman of the Year, and he was the deputy grand marshal of the St. Patrick's Day Parade of West Hudson in 2003 . Robert is survived by his beloved wife of 40 years, Frances (nee Lowe); his children, Robert H. Connaghan, Lisa Connaghan and Angela Marie Connaghan, and one sister Rosaleen Duncan of Glasgow, Scotland. His family wishes to extend their deepest gratitude to the staff at both St. Michael's Medical Center and the Columbus Hospital LTACH for their continued support and excellent care. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to a charity of your choice in Robert's memory.