Thomas Joseph "TJ" Connolly

Thomas Joseph "TJ" Connolly passed away on March 12, 2024, in Boynton Beach, Florida. TJ was formerly from Quincy, MA, and Melrose, MA, and was a beloved son, father, former husband, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend.

TJ was unpretentious. He liked simple things.

TJ liked warmed-up 1970s honey-dipped sticks from Dunkin Donuts, the Italian sub (with extra oil) at Nicks, the veal cutlet sub at Joseph's, No-Name chowder, China Star chicken fingers, and a bootlegged bucket of steamers with a lot of melted butter. He liked Brigham's hot fudge sundaes with the half-pint of hot fudge on the side. These things made him happy, and it was fun to go on the run to pick up that food. He liked cut-off pants as shorts, clothes, and hats with paint on them, and sneakers with holes in the sides- and we are not talking about the clothes that you buy this way- he beat them into that condition. He wore whatever clothes fit him, even if they weren't his. He drove beaters- like the manual transmission VW Bug when he was about 19, that literally had to be push-started every single time for an entire summer; him pushing it with the door open down the street, by himself, jumping in when he got it moving fast enough, and then popping the clutch. He wore old, beat-up, hockey equipment. That was him.

He liked the water. He liked digging clams and pulling lobster traps and then jumping in the water afterward.

He laughed. A lot. And what a great laugh it was.

TJ was not a self-promoter and he would probably not tell you these things/achievements about himself- he didn't tell us, as we actually read about them in the Boston Globe sports page. Reading the Boston Globe sports page and seeing that your brother was selected as an All-American, showing the paper to your Mom and asking if she knew, her saying "no" and calling him to ask about it- the response " yeah, they called me two weeks ago and told me I had been selected." He was humble. So we will tell you…

TJ graduated from Don Bosco High School (Boston) in 1980. While at Don Bosco, TJ was named a Boston Globe All-Scholastic, Catholic Conference MVP, and won the Hockey Night in Boston Best Defenseman Award.

TJ was a Boston University graduate and played on the BU hockey team from 1980 to 1984. He always wanted to play hockey at BU. He wore #7 in memory of his late brother and for Ma. In 1984, TJ was Captain of the BU team that made it to the quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament and the finals of the ECAC Championship, and was named an All-American, All-East, and All-ECAC. He also received the Boston University Scarlet Key.

After his graduation, TJ played professional hockey from 1984-1986 for the Salt Lake Golden Eagles (IHL affiliate of the Hartford Whalers) and professionally in Finland.

TJ is survived by his children, William "Billy" Connolly of Charlotte, NC, Jessica Nora Connolly of Greenwood, SC, and his former wife Linda Connolly of Pompano Beach, FL. He was also the grandfather of Luciana Scheidell of Florida and Rye Wells Connolly of North Carolina.

TJ is also survived by his siblings Paul Connolly of Quincy, MA, Mimi (Michelle) Connolly (Rob Hester) of Quincy, MA and Michael Connolly (Edi). He was the uncle of Sydney and Ryan Hester of Quincy, MA.

TJ was preceded in death by his father, Thomas F. Connolly, his mother, Pauline M.(Greene) Connolly, and his brother William " Billy" Connolly.

TJ's life will be celebrated in Boston on Saturday, May 4, 2024, from 12-4 pm at Boston University's Agganis Arena in the Francis D. Burke Club Room - 925 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA. Friends and family are invited to attend and share memories and stories of your times with TJ. Casual dress, no suits or ties per TJ.

We hope that people remember his laugh when they think of TJ. And him joking around with you, maybe a personal nickname or funny saying for you.

A sunset memorial for TJ was held on March 21, 2024, on Delray Beach in Florida and attended by his many friends and family.