Michael A. Connery

If the Irish spirit encompasses traits such as resilience, warmth, humor, love of storytelling, deep connection to history and heritage, and a sense of community, then Michael A. Connery was the “quintessential embodiment of the Irish spirit.”  It is with great sadness that the family of Mike Connery announce his passing on Monday, May 19, 2025.

For 47 years, Mike was the beloved husband of his high school sweetheart, Nikki (Zangles) and the proud father of Nickolas M. Connery.  He was the son of the late Henry and Jeanette (Lacoste) Connery and son-in-law of the late Nickolas and Photo (Chiavaras) Zangles.

He will be remembered with love by his close-knit French and Irish American family, including his six siblings: Henry J. Connery and his partner Rosemary, David Connery and his wife Erin, Marcia Potas and her partner Butch, Mark Connery and his wife Julia, Theresa O’Sullivan and her husband Dennis, and Francis Connery and his wife Carolyn. He will also be greatly missed by his nieces and nephews Sean, Laurie, Tina, Scott, Sarah, Craig, Michael, Matthew and several great nieces and nephews.  He is also survived by his sister-in-law Connie (Zangles) Cleary and her husband Jim and their daughter MaryKate Cleary Day, her husband Tom and their baby son Jack. Additionally, he will be fondly remembered by the many Connery and Lacoste cousins. Nikki’s cousins in the extended Zangles and Chiavaras families from Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire will also carry Mike’s memory in their hearts. 

Mike was a proud member of the Clinton High School class of 1967 and also attended Worcester State College. He became a top-notch field service engineer in mechanics, electronics, and robotics for the plastics industry. His work took him to almost all fifty states, as well as Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, Germany and Ireland. Mike retired in 2009 from Van Dorn Demag (now part of Sumitomo SHI Demag), where he specialized in the setup and repair of injection molding machinery. 

Mike, a lifelong learner and avid reader, was renowned for his talent in fixing, refurbishing, and building. Most recently he was rebuilding the green metallic dune buggy that he originally built when he was 20 years old. His proudest achievement was the design and construction of the log cabin home that he and Nikki built in Leominster with the help of their large families. This stunning and cozy home gained national recognition in Log Home Design Ideas Magazine and became the site of countless lively gatherings that Mike and Nikki hosted for their friends and relatives.  

As the consummate host, Mike celebrated the food, music, and traditions of both his Irish and Nikki’s Greek cultures, ensuring that everyone always felt welcomed. Holidays at the log cabin were filled with laughter, dancing, and cherished family stories, creating new memories to last a lifetime. The sight of the log cabin illuminated at night, paired with the aroma of food and the melodies of music, will remain a treasured chapter in the Connery and Chiavaras family history.

Mike’s passion for Irish culture has left a lasting legacy, and will be an indelible part of Nikki, and Nickolas’ memories. Over the years, Mike built an impressive collection of books and collectibles from and about Ireland, and he visited the country more than 20 times (including nearly every Irish county), taking along many family members, friends, and classmates. During these trips, he acted as the tour guide, while Nikki captured breathtaking photos of Ireland’s amazing landscapes and quaint villages. Together, Mike and Nikki shared their experiences by hosting travel presentations at public libraries and senior centers in Clinton, Leominster and nearby communities.

Mike and Nikki's pride and motivation in life revolved around their son, Nickolas. Mike often said Nickolas was smarter than him, and he took great pride in his son's academic achievements, especially his talent for persuasive writing, which led to a career as a corporate paralegal and financial project manager. From a young age, Nickolas could count on his father to patiently explain how things worked and to solve everyday problems while sharing witty stories along the way.

Mike always took the time to provide teaching moments to Nickolas. This included everything from treating skinned knees and cut fingers, to demonstrating construction techniques for the family’s log cabin home, to recounting the history and mythology of Ireland's kings. He also instilled in his only son a deep connection to their family roots, and he never missed an opportunity, as they were driving through his old hometown of Clinton, to point out the places where he and his brothers played, where his friends and neighbors once lived, and where he had courted Nikki. Whether exploring castles in Ireland, sightseeing in Greece, or just driving by the Wachusett Reservoir in Clinton, Mike and Nickolas shared a love for family, history, and learning that created a lasting bond.

Mike, your friends at the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Aerie 477 in Leominster will deeply miss your humor, storytelling, and uncanny knack for imitating an Irish brogue as well as your help with charity events including your legendary corned beef and cabbage for St. Patrick’s Day and your delectable breakfasts on Thanksgiving. Community and charity were always near to Mike’s heart as he was a past volunteer at the Sterling Senior Center and the Johnny Appleseed Visitors Center in Leominster. 

Nikki will forever cherish the travels shared with Mike, from Cape Cod to Ogunquit, Maine, and further afield to Greece and Ireland. Her memories are beautifully preserved in thousands of photos, capturing the places visited, the experiences shared, the new friends made, and the lasting moments that will always hold a special place in her heart.

Dear Mike, if Nikki, Nickolas, and all who care for you, could whisper in your ear as they send you off on your heavenly journey, this is their heartfelt wish for you:

“May the road rise to meet you. May the hills of Ireland caress you, and may her lakes and rivers bless you. May the luck of the Irish enfold you. May the blessings of St. Patrick behold you.” 

Mike’s funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at 10 AM at the McNally & Watson Funeral Home, 304 Church Street, Clinton, MA 01510. Family and friends are invited and may attend visiting hours on Friday, June 6, 2025, from 4 PM to 7 PM and Saturday, June 7, 2025, from 9 AM to 10 AM in the funeral home.

Please consider a gift in Mike’s name to the Clinton Public Schools Scholarship & Enrichment Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 732, Clinton, MA 01510 (in honor of Michael Connery and the Class of 1967), the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 477 of Leominster, or the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church of Fitchburg. 

For directions to the funeral home or to leave a message of condolence, please visit www.mcnallywatson.com