Matthew E. Connolly
1936 - 2010
Matthew E. Connolly
1936 - 2010
Obituary
Guest Book
BORN
1936
DIED
2010
Matthew Connolly Obituary
He attended Cathedral Grammar School and graduated from Portland High School in 1955.
He married Lucia DiFazio on May 23, 1959 at St. Peters Roman Catholic Church.
He worked for the state of Maine until his retirement in 1990. Starting in 1956, Matthew served in the U.S. Army, and was stationed in Governors Island, NY. Matthew continued his military service for 34 years. He retired with the rank of First Sergeant, E-8, from the 133rd Engineer battalion in South Portland in 1990. He was a longshoreman for over 50 years, working through the International Longshoreman's Union, and he served as union treasurer for many years. He also was employed as chief clerk at P&O Ports for the last 24 years.
Matthew had a lifelong love of the waterfront. He was an avid scuba diver. He was an active member of the Portland Elks Lodge #188; the Fraternal Order of Eagles;the Irish American Club and a lifetime member of Italian Heritage Center.
He is predeceased by his parents; a son Matthew in 1988; A daughter AnnieLee and Sister Rosemary in 2001.
Besides his wife of 51 years he leaves a son Thomas R. Connolly of Portland; daughter BarbaraRose Mulligan and husband Robert of North Grosvenordale, CT; brother Robert and wife Diana of Portland ; sister Elizabeth Martorano and husband Vincent of South Portland; seven grandchildren Nicole, Kristina, Rachel, Robert, Maura, David & Colleen; and several nieces and nephews.
There will be no visiting hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday December 30, 2010 at 1:00 pm at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery, South Portland. Please visit www.jonesrichandhutchins.com for additional information and to sign Matt's guest book. Arrangements are by Jones Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Tom Conroy
December 22, 2022
Matty was a good friend and fellow soldier. He influenced the careers of many soldiers in the 133d Engr Bn. It's hard to believe he's been gone for 12 years.
Tricia Allyson Goodine
January 27, 2011
He was one of the biggest men I've ever known. My thoughts and prayers are with you, Lucia.
xo
Marty Joyce
January 4, 2011
Many comments about Matty's smile. My father loved working and laughing with him and my mother mentioned only 2 weeks ago "Every time I see Matty he has a smile for you. Every time." I was honored to have known this patriarch how ever briefly. My thoughts and prayers to the entire family. --Marty Joyce
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Nina Boss
January 2, 2011
Dear Dear Lucia and Family. Our thoughts and our prayers are with you now. What a loss. Matt was such a wonderful man and an indomitable spirit. We all three have happy memories of him when we spent time with you in Aruba. We love you Lucia. we hope you can feel it now. Nina, Mike and Dylan
Heidi and Pat Lynch
January 2, 2011
I will remember Matty sitting in his chair asking about my Uncle Tommy fondly at every visit. Thinking of you and your family.
January 1, 2011
matt was a kind and very decent man . where i first met him mostly at the elks club . bev and i both liked him greatly. i always liked the way he could dance and relate to people. we both will miss him bev and jim worthley
Lucia Connolly
December 31, 2010
Reading this guest book brings tears of joy to my eyes.
Lucia
Richmond Knight
December 31, 2010
I was truly sorry to hear about a great man soldier passing. Remember " To The Last Man " We will miss him and our prayers are with you Lucy
Brenda & Joe
December 30, 2010
For Matty, I once asked him to teach me this Irish prayer - now we say it for him:
May the road rise up to meet you,
May the wind be ever at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face
And the rain fall softly on your fields
And until we meet again, May God hold
you in the hollow of his hand.
How we wish we could hear him say it again . . .
Best Friends
BJ
December 30, 2010
December 30, 2010
Lucy....I was sorry to hear that a friend and comrade in arms has pass on...All our love and sympathy go with you....As you know Matty (Sonny) you and I go back 60 yrs. From Adams St to PHS to Army, National guard.Ihave never had better friends. Matt was always there. Always helpful and a true friend. We will miss him a great deal. God bless him. Our prayers are always with you .Joe @ Nancy Luke SFC USA Ret
Tavia (Sangillo) Corey
December 30, 2010
Dear Lucia & Family, We can not express our feeling's properly on the loss of Matty (Dad,Grandfather,other family member's). Our deepest sympathy and sorrow on your loss of a sweet person that Matty has always been. God keep you in his heart and that of his Mother Mary. May they watch over all of you in heaven. Lucia,you will always be special in my heart. God Bless.
John DiFazio
December 30, 2010
My deepest sympathies Aunt Lucy, Tommy and Barbara. Uncle Matty was a fine man and even though I didn't see him much over the years he will sorely be missed by me.
Nephew and cousin Johnny
Sherma & Pat Moody
December 30, 2010
Our thoughts and prayers are with you Lucia & Family. Matty's fun loving personality and charming smile will always been in our memories.
Francis J. Amoroso
December 30, 2010
Dear Lucy and Family, It was an honor & privilege to serve with Matt in the 133rd Eng. Bn. He loved his family and country and honored them by his service and dedication. We enjoyed lunch together often and reminisced of the "good old days in the 133rd." Our thoughts and prayers are with you as they are from his comrades - "TO THE LAST MAN"
Tom D'Alfonso
December 30, 2010
A good man, neighbor and friend
December 29, 2010
Lucia and Family
Please accept my condolences. It was my privilege to have known him and to have worked with him at the 133d. Matty was a truly good person and will be missed.
- Bob & Nancy Hall
SFC (Ret) Paul N Taylor
December 29, 2010
My condolences to the family. Farewell Top Connolly.
December 29, 2010
Lucia and Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as you mourn the loss of Matty.While a member of the 133d he set an example for all of us to follow.I will remember him as a family man,a mentor and a friend.
Tom Conroy
December 29, 2010
Lucia, How shocked we are to hear of Matthews passing. We are so sorry and wish you the best. I know you have memories that will hold you and help to keep you strong through this difficult time. We will miss his sense of humor at the Elks.Please except our heartfelt sympathy. Harol & Carole
December 29, 2010
Dear Lucia,
Our deepest sympathy and heartfelt thoughts are with you and your family.
May God hold you all in the palm of his hand and comfort you with his everlasting love.
Warm, caring thoughts are with you,
Don, Ann Marie Gomez Cady and family
Barbara Henningsen
December 29, 2010
Lucia and Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your Family.
Barbara Foley Henningsen
December 29, 2010
Lucia and Family
Sorry to read about your loss, our thoughts and prayers are with you. Matty was always an inspiration to all. His leadership and freindship was always a highlite of my days during our time in the 133d.
I know God has a special place for him.
sincerly Ken & Kathy Booker
Jovon Humeniuk Alber
December 29, 2010
Dear Lucia and Family,
May God Bless and keep you during this sad time. Matty was a great man that our family will never forget.
Peace and Love,
December 29, 2010
Matty Connolly was as large as life itself. I met Matty 34 years ago on the Portland waterfront and worked side by side with him for the last 24 years. His family has strong roots working on the Portland waterfront and it was in Matt's blood too. For so many there just was not enough longshore work to support a family so Matt went out and worked two or three jobs to take care of his family. He worked tirelessly as the Treasurer of The Portland Longshoremen's Benevolent Society ILA Local 861. He recieved no salary but brought his expert managerial expierience from working for the State of Maine for over 30 years to keep the union financial books in perfect order. Matt had a great sense of humor and if you did not recognize it immediately you would soon enough. I will miss the bellowing call of a man could scare the beJesus out you and as you jumped and turned around and found him laughing like anything at you. The entire membership of the Longshoremen's union will greatly miss Matt's wisdom, guidance, caring and friendship he provided us over the years. Matt was unique, passionate about life, a person with seemingly boundless energy. None of us, many much younger could keep up with him. He had the gift of gab and a wit unmatched.
Matt was a great friend to me and my family, and it is with much personal sadness that Myself, Anne and our family send our deepest sympathy to Lucia, Tommy, Barbara, Bob Sr. and Elizabeth and all the Connolly family.
Jack and Anne Humeniuk and Family
December 29, 2010
Dear Lucia,
Peter and I were shocked when we heard of Matt's death. I saw you the day before and you were talking about you both going to see your daughter. I only hope you can adjust to this tragic death. You know I'm here for you. Let me know what I can do.
Love, Claire
COLONEL DICK DUFFY
December 29, 2010
Dear Lucy and family. Everyone who knew Matt shares a small piece of your very large loss. He was a most enjoyable and funny Irishman to work with in the 133 Engineer Battalion. Matt and I worked together in the personnel office for several years.
Warmest regards and condolences to all.
John & Carol Fecteau
December 29, 2010
Matt was a good friend and a very competent First Sergant. I have many memories of our time in the National Guard. My sincere sympathy to the family.
December 29, 2010
I could not ask for a better grandfather. He was always there with the best advice when I needed it the most. I'll miss his bear hugs and cuddling up on his recliner the most. I know he knows how much I love him which gives me some peace. I only wish I had more time... He will always have a big peace of my heart and never will be forgotten. He was such a good person and will give me something to live up to. I loved him so much and I will miss him. My heart goes to my grandmother right now because I know how much they did together. Grammy I'm sorry I cant be there in person but I'm there in spirit. Love u so much even though I'm so far.
The original bubbles
Nicole
paul jeffery
December 28, 2010
our deepest sympathy
to
the matthew connolly family
from the
jeffery family
December 28, 2010
Lucy, Tom, Barbara, Bobby and Diane
I am so sorry for your loss at this time. Matty was one of the nicest people I had ever met.
My granddaughter Nicole was blessed to have such a wonderful grandfather as Matty.
May God fill you all with His love and peace.
Pat Guimond
Paul Salway
December 28, 2010
Tommy and family,
I was very sorry to hear of your loss. "Pa" was a great guy and he must be proud to have left another great guy as his legacy. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
Jeannine Allen
December 28, 2010
We are so sorry for your loss. We can honestly say that Matty was one of those people that was truly a good person and he will be missed. You are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Bruce & Jeannine
Clinton Shiffer
December 28, 2010
Uncle Matt was one person in our childhood that we could always look up to. He will be deeply missed. Aunt Lucy, Tommy and Barbara our deepest sympathy go out to you. All of our love and prayers.
David Enman
December 28, 2010
Matty was one of the few people that passed through our lives that left a remarkable imprint on our hearts. Missed dearly...
David and Josh Enman
Karen Brown Sullivan
December 28, 2010
Barbara, Tommy and Lucia, I was saddened to hear of Matty's passing. What a character he was and am a better person to have known him. He kept all of us straight even those of us kids that were not his but just spending the night at Mass Ave. You are all in my prayers at this very difficult time.
Gary & Brenda Buck
December 28, 2010
Lucy & family,
So sorry to hear about Matty, I have so many memories of him as a friend and from serving with him in the 133rd. Our sincere sympathy.
Daniel DiFazio
December 28, 2010
Uncle Matt was one of the finest men i had the privilege to call uncle andi will miss him dearly.Aunt Lucia i send you my deepest thoughts and prayers. He touched a lot of us very differently and would never turn his back when you neede someone to talk to. love your nephew Daniel L. DiFazio
John Henshaw
December 28, 2010
On behalf of the Maine Port Authority, I wanted to express our sincerest sympathies. Matt was a positive presence on the waterfront and will be missed.
Michael & Barbara Grant
December 28, 2010
A fantastic neighbor and devoted husband and father to his family. A true loss. May you all find peace in Gods arms.
Nicole Violette
December 28, 2010
Lucia, Bobby and Diana,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families.
Alan, Nicole, Madelyn and Marina Violette
Walt Egee
December 28, 2010
Lucia and family,
We will remember Matt for his loyalty and diligence to the Portland Waterfront. But mostly we will remember him as a dear friend. His commitment and legacy will live on through Tommy and the rest of the ILA that he loved so much. From the entire staff of Ports America New England please accept our sympathies. Thank you for sharing Matt with us for the past 24 years.
BERNADETTE DIFAZIO MCNINCH
December 28, 2010
I REMEMBER UNCLE MATTIE TOOK ME TO A FATHER AND DAUGHTER DANCE WHEN MY DAD WASN'T ABLE TO TAKE ME .UNCLE MATTIE PICK ME UP AT MY COUSIN HOUSE SHE DID MY HAIR FOR MY MOM I THINK I WAS ABOUT 10 YRS OLD,HE DANCE WITH ME MADE ME SMILE I ALWAYS REMEMBERD THIS LOVE BERNADETTE NIECE
Bill and Marge Humeniuk
December 28, 2010
He was truly a great friend and mentor. We will never forget his wonderful smile and his down to earth common sense.He was a good man, a very good man and he will always be missed because he was more than just a guy you worked with he was a friend.
Albert & Alta Aceto
December 28, 2010
Dear Lucy, Albert & I are so sorry to hear about Matt. He was such a great guy. He truly will be greatly missed. Our sincere sympathy, Albert & Alta (Minervino) Aceto
December 28, 2010
Dear Lucia and family,
We have many fond memories of Matty and times shared with him, Aunt Rose, and the Connolly family. May it give you comfort to know that he will be missed by many people whose lives he touched.
Dick and Linda Perry
December 28, 2010
God looked around His garden and found an empty place. He then looked down upon the earth and saw your tired face. He put his arms around you and lifted you to rest. God's garden must be beautiful He always takes the best. He saw the road was getting rough and the hills were hard to climb, So He closed your weary eyelids and whispered "Peace be thine". It broke our hearts to lose you But you didn't go alone, For part of us went with you The day God called you home.
Love Tommy
Frank Amoroso
December 28, 2010
Matt and I spent many a day on Portland's waterfront and on Munjoy Hill. He was as good a person and friend as anyone could ask for. He was also as tough a football player as PHS ever had. I am in Arizona at this time but wanted to send my condolences.
Ellen Pomerleau
December 28, 2010
Matt and my father were the best of friends! He will be missed greatly. Know that the Pomerleau Family cherishes all the memories we have of him and our thoughts are with you.
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