Bennett C. Connelly Jr.

So many wonderful memories...the time you and Grady "talked" me into throwing back that 8 pound bass...all the laughter, all the fun. Thank you most especially for giving me Kathy as a dear friend. You were a devoted husband, loving father, comedian extrodinaire, true friend to so many, Allison Craft's best advertisement, Tri-State Bassmasters best loved member, cartoonist, and on and on. You will be missed and missed and missed.

Life is a gift. They way you live your life is a gift to others who come after you. Bennett, you gave so many wonderful gifts to so many. I will never forget how you helped me when I lost my Father. I will never forget you Buddy.

You were one of my best friends for almost fifty years. Many days we spent hunting, fishing and boating together.

On one particular weekend you, Smitty and I were fishing at Pickwick. No one was catching anything that day so I decided to make a worm lure. I had a short purple worm with shiny metal flakes on it. I put a hook through it and you cast it over the back of the boat. After drifting for about twenty minutes, your rod started pulling. You thought you were hung on the...

My heart goes out to David and Kathy. We've been family since I was old enough to have memories - great memories of cook outs at the lake, fishing, jokes that always made us laugh and warmth that you find only with family.

You'll be missed very much in our family.

My love to Kathy, David and their extended family.

Mother could not believe it when I told her of Bennett's passing. He had just bought mine and Mother's dinner at Cracker Barrel a week ago and laughed and talked with her. I am so glad I got to see him that night.

Lee has lost his best friend and will forever miss him. We have all lost a dear friend. We will miss the laughter he brought us and a life time of memories.

I know Taylor greeted him with a "Hi Mr. Bennett" That gives me comfort.

We all love and miss him. My...

We were so sorry to hear about Bennett's death. We have been in the flooring business 20 years and he was one of the first drivers that we met. He always looked out for us. He will be missed.

I wish I could have seen you in the last twenty years. You were such a part of my childhood. My prayers are now with your family.
Sandy Harrison, Kay Smiths daughter and Larry Smiths step-daughter

We'll miss Bennett's wit, his warm sincerity, his willingness to go the extra mile to accomodate a customer. He was always honest and always plainspoken. Our prayers go out to the family.

Rick Finney and the families of Finney's Floor and Home Center
Dresden, Tennessee.

Our hearts and prayers go out to Kathy, David and the rest of the
Connelly family. During the 70's I was in the Tri State Bassmasters Club with Bennett and I never knew a finer man. He always put other people's feelings and well being above his own. To him a good day fishing was being with his friends and family and not about how many fish he caught. He will be greatly missed by the Tri State Club and all the old members from long ago. Bennett I know you are on a honey hole now.