Bruce Connolly

Bruce Edward Connolly
October 10, 1953 - March 16, 2015
Bruce Edward Connolly, "Tuff," 61, of Nampa, Idaho passed away unexpectedly Monday, March 16, 2015. He was born in Pocatello on October 10, 1953 to Louise Bowen and Edward J. Connolly Jr. He attended elementary and middle school in Boise's north end and then moved to Nampa where he attended Nampa High School. He worked for several farmers in the Nampa area before starting his own well-drilling company. In 1976, Bruce married Glenda Eckman and they made their home in Nampa. They had two children, a daughter Audra and a son Aaron. He worked at Homestyle Industries for 26 years. He also owned and operated Whisky Mountain Outfitters specializing in guided trophy mule deer hunts for ten years. He began working for Idaho Fish & Game in 2011. This included locating and documenting California Big Horn Sheep populations, counting and spawning Kokanee at Deadwood Reservoir, and raising Rainbow Trout at Nampa Fish Hatchery to be planted throughout the state. Bruce always did his best at every job, but working for Idaho Fish & Game filled him with exceptional joy and pride.
Bruce grew up hunting and fishing in the Idaho wilderness with his father and brother. This sparked a lifelong passion for wildlife and the Idaho outdoors. He spent his spare time learning and perfecting his hunting, fishing, and trapping skills. He shared this passion with his wife and children and his family and friends. He took Audra and Aaron into the wilderness from the time they could walk. He taught them about conservation because he believed we should leave the land as we found it and never take more from it than we need. He believed in preserving natural resources for the future while respectfully enjoying them in the present. He wanted to give everyone he knew a memorable experience in the out-of-doors. His greatest joy came from taking others on a fishing trip or a hunt. No matter what Bruce did, whether it was working in the yard, traveling to Korea and China, or relaxing by the fire, he was happy to have his family together. He was a fiercely loyal, loving, and devoted husband, father, and friend. He was an incomparable partner and teacher.
He is survived by his wife Glenda and children Audra and Aaron, his brother Dean Connolly (Joan) of Salt Lake City, UT, his sisters Diane Connolly of Salt Lake City, UT, Marianne Andrus (Garth) of St. George, UT, and Janeen Connolly Rohovit of Tempe, AZ, his brother-in-law Randy Eckman (Cindy) of Garden Valley, ID, sister-in-law Joanie Morrison of Battle Mountain, NV, and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Louise and Edward Connolly, Leona and Glenn Eckman, and brother-in-law Sheldon Morrison.
A viewing will be Sunday, March 22 from 4 to 6 pm and memorial services will be Monday, March 23 at 10:30 am at Nampa Funeral Home, Yraguen Chapel. An online guest book is available at www.nampafuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers the family suggests making a donation to Idaho Fish & Wildlife Foundation at ifwf.org.
His remains will be scattered at a later date at which time all who wish to join the family are welcome. Bruce said, "When my time comes, remember, I have only gone over the next ridge."