Daniel F. Connelly Jr.

1939 - 2021

Written in his own words, "his way" ……. "Daniel F. Connelly, Jr., 81, husband for 58 years of Diane (Boucher) died on February 28, 2021 after losing his battle with cancer. Born to Daniel and Bernadette (Charette) Connelly on September 16, 1939 in Middletown. Memories of the early years living in Cromwell included riding with a neighbor who owned a horse and a pony. Hiding under the bed during World War II air raid drills. Bringing a can of used cooking grease to the Butcher for use in guns production and receiving a dime. The aroma of trays of tomatoes baking in the sun, to be used by the woman next door for her sauce. Her son coming home from the Navy and donating a part of his uniform. One Sunday afternoon observing from a distance a steady flow of emergency vehicles heading north on Main Street. It turned out to be the Hartford Circus fire. Moving to Middletown opened up new experiences and a lifetime of sports. Playing baseball in a vacant lot behind Ct. Light & Power on a field built and maintained by a bunch of pre-teens. Later upgrading to fields at Wesleyan. Playing tennis on the courts at Wesleyan and going home with a bunch of brand new balls that had been hit over the fence and into the woods. Spending a lot of Saturday mornings playing basketball in the field house rather than the street or back yards. Playing touch football on Stowe Avenue and tackle in a vacant lot behind Coughlin's Funeral Home. Packing a knapsack and hiking on the railroad tracks as far as Rockfall, walking over two trestles on the way. One time taking a detour to the Carnival grounds on Washington Street the morning after they pulled out. It was amazing the amount of loose change on the ground. It turns out they dropped off a dead python over the side of the Prospect Street overpass on the way out. Somehow that 6-foot reptile wound up stretched across the middle of the road. After startling a few drivers, it managed to get back to the original drop off point. Chosen as the mascot (Red Feather) for the Community Chest in 1950, which included attending the weekly dinner meetings and sharing the spotlight with Johnny Morris, the bellhop of "call for Philip Morris" fame, when he came to town. Graduated St John's School in 1953. Graduated Middletown High School in 1957, lettering in baseball and almost basketball, but cut as a junior. In March,1958 volunteered for the draft. Served with the 2nd Armored Division at Ft Hood, Texas, and the 3rd Armored Division in Germany. Became the "Radar" of Headquarters Co. Three years in the active Reserve. Worked at Conn. Mutual Life Ins. Co. for 28 years, where he met Diane. They were married in 1962. So anxious, hours before the ceremony, with a half hour drive, alone in a tux, he could be seen scaling a third-floor stairwell entering a window to retrieve keys and the rings. The warmest May 19th on record also resulted in an unexpected overnight stay in Springfield due to the car overheating. A Hartford resident since that time. During that period at CML, bowled duck pins in the company leagues and alleys, played fast-pitch softball 14 years (4 All-Star teams) in the All-Insurance League and a few years in a Hartford league that included a game at the former Wethersfield State Prison. They only played home games. Started playing golf after retiring in 1988 as a Data Processing Officer. A lifelong Red Sox and Celtics fan, fortunate to see Williams, DiMaggio, Mantle, Cousy, Russell and Chamberlin play in person. Frequently attended Whalers games including Springfield when the roof collapsed. When they left, adopted the Rangers. Of course, rooting for UCONN was a must. Since the summer of 1949, after spending a day in Guilford with Dick Poillon, the team's leading scorer the previous year (kick-offs, field goals, extra points, defensive back), became a fan of Washington, formerly known as the "Redskins." A big fan of Elvis who he met in the service. He looked forward to spring and fall at Cape Cod and summer in Vermont. Enjoyed a lifelong interest in stamps, coins, music, DVD's, home movies capturing once in a lifetime moments and all the Springers who passed thru. Hopefully, someone has restocked their Manhattan supply for happy hour along with all the recordings of "My Way" in anticipation of his arrival. Tooting his own horn? No, just proud of what he accomplished and grateful for a full life and to those who shared it but were never thanked enough. He was pre-deceased by his parents and sister, Frances Batzner. He is survived by his wife Diane, and two children, Daniel F. Connelly III (Amber) of South Windsor, Colleen Shea (Terry) of Unionville. Five grandchildren, Christina Bazzano (Matt), Caitlin Connelly (Jason), Sean Connelly, Patrick Shea and Kelly Shea along with several nieces and nephews." The family would like to thank Hartford Hospital Bliss 8 nurses, Stacey and Sabrina, and Center 8 ICU nurse, Hayley, for their exceptional care and attention. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or a charity of the donor's choice. A funeral service will be held Saturday, March 6, 2021,11:00 am at the Dillon Baxter Funeral Home, 1276 Berlin Tpk. Wethersfield. Burial will follow with full military honors in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford. Visiting hours will be Saturday prior to the service from 9 to 11 am at the funeral home. To share a memory with the family, please visit www.dillonbaxter.com