William A. Connelly

(Asbury Park Press)

WILLIAM A. CONNELLY
FORMERLY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY
He met the love of his life, Susan T. Devine when working at Western Electric Company after returning from the Navy, where he fought in World War II. They were married in 1949 and lived most of their married lives in Jersey City. They moved to Monmouth County following retirement from the Jersey City Fire Department after 34 years of service with the status of Battalion Chief. He moved to Boonton in January 2009, where he passed away from natural causes on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009, at the NJFRH. He lived a very full and happy life and enjoyed fishing, boating, crafts, flying Cessnas, and as a younger man boxing, swimming, skiing and taught many to fish. He was also a beekeeper and enjoyed wildlife to the end.
He leaves behind a large and ever expanding family. He is survived by his children, Susanne T. Smith and her husband Dr. Gary Smith of Englewood, Fla., Maureen Healy and her husband Mayor Jerramiah Healy of Jersey City, Dr. Patricia A. Connelly and her husband Jack Hill, Esq. of San Francisco, and William V. Connelly and his wife Maryam Connelly of Randolph; his grandchildren, JCFD Jerramiah Healy and wife Kourtney, JCFD Patrick Healy, Susanne Brown and husband Dr. Justin Brown, Catherine Healy, Esq., Patricia Connelly, Kathleen Connelly, and Olivia Connelly; his great-grandchildren, James Brown, Molly Brown, and Maureen Healy; and a sister-in-law, Dorothy Connolly of Nutley. He was Uncle Bill to Dr. Richard and Joan Jackson of Los Angeles, James and Barb Jackson of South Carolina, Bill and Donna Jackson of Toms River, Mary and Mike Mankowich of Nutley, Mary Connolly of New York City, Mark and Diane Connolly of San Rafael, Calif., and Joseph Connolly of San Francisco.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25 at the Houghton Funeral Home, 976 Summit Ave., Jersey City. The funeral will be at 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26 from the funeral home, followed by a 10 a.m. Funeral Mass at St. Nicholas R.C. Church, Jersey City. Cremation will be at the Garden State Crematory, North Bergen.