John Francis Connolly

CONNOLLY, JOHN FRANCIS John Connolly, 86, of Madison, passed away September 20th at Connecticut Hospice after a brief illness. He was born February 10, 1927 in New York, New York. He was the son of Michael and Mary Kate Connolly (Burke). He is preceded in death by his parents, sister Patsy and brother Tom. His wife, Mary, who he lovingly called "his bride" died in 2008 after 57 years of marriage. He is survived by seven children - Mary Rose Connolly and her husband Joseph Organ of Baltimore; John Connolly, Jr. and his wife Helen (Crosby) of Guilford, Joanne Johnson and her husband Ed of Pasadena, MD, Brian Connolly and his wife Marie (Poole) of Montana, Kevin Connolly and his wife Pat (Schramm) of Clinton, Kathleen McNamara and her husband Stephen of Fairfield, and James Connolly and his wife, Lisa (Bly) of Mendon, NY. John is also survived by loving and cherished grandchildren - Katie Reed, Kris- ten Connolly, Jessica and Shayla Urban, Christian and Connor Johnson, Kevin and Shannon Connolly, Megan Dow, John Spencer and Christopher Connolly, Brendan, Hugh and Genevieve McNamara, Lauren and Thomas Connolly and his first great grandchild Ryan Reed. He graduated from Cardinal Hayes High School in New York and the University of Scranton where he excelled in sports. He served in the United States Army from 1945 to 1947. John worked for Amoco Oil for 35 years, retiring in 1987. He was a member of St. Margaret Church, Madison, CT where a funeral mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Friday. Family will receive friends at the Swan Funeral Home, 825 Boston Post Rd., Madison, CT from 6 to 8 PM Wednesday and 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 on Thursday. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Cardinal Hayes High School, 650 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10451. The family would like to extend a special thanks to the Yale Neuroscience ICU team who provided such amazing support and comfort during John's short illness. Please visit www.swanfuneralhomemadison.com for condolences and tributes.