Louis J. Connolly

1930 - 2021

Loving Husband, Father, Grandfather, Papa, Old Grampa and Many, many Friends

Tewksbury, MA

Mr. Louis James 'Lou' Connolly, 90, passed away on Saturday, March 6, 2021 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband for sixty-five years to the late Judith E. 'Judie' (McCormack) Connolly, who passed away on August 3, 2020.

He was born at Long Island Hospital in Boston, one of six children of the late James and Margaret (Thornton) Connolly, and raised in Norwood. He graduated from Norwood Senior High School in 1949, then enlisted into the U.S. Air Force. He served in North Africa with the 3904th Air Police Squadron. He was honorably discharged at the rank of Airman 2nd Class, and awarded the National Defense Service Medal.

Lou retired as the Regional Manager for the Massachusetts Department of Industrial Accidents after twenty-seven years of service to the Commonwealth. It was here that he met many lifelong friends amongst the lawyers, judges and co-workers. He held many Sales positions which he loved as he could talk a dog off a meat wagon as his wife Judie often remarked. Lou also served as a Funeral Assistant at the Tewksbury Funeral Home. Lou was a devout Catholic layman.

One of his earliest and favorite jobs was as a Milkman for Hood Milk. As a Friend of Bill W. (58 years) he was at a commitment at the Billerica House of Corrections and a man thanked him for delivering milk to his home when he was a child, even though the mother could not pay.  

Lou was a huge part of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks. With the loving support of his late wife, he worked through the chairs of the Tewksbury-Wilmington Elks Lodge 2070, and was Past Exalted Ruler of the Lodge, a Past State of Massachusetts District Deputy, and ultimately the Massachusetts Past State President of the Order. Additionally, he served Nationally, on the Public Relations Committee and ran for the National Executive Council. Lou was among the most eloquent speakers at any Elks Ritual, having committed most of the Ritual Handbook material to memory.

Lou continued the heartfelt tradition, begun by his late wife, of gifting homemade loaves of 'Irish' Soda Bread to friends well into his 80's.

Lou's passion was his family; he often regaled anyone within hearing distance how big his holiday gatherings were bragging about the number of family and friends gathered at his home. He leaves five children, Louis H. Connolly and his wife, Tanya of Dracut, Ann M. Courtois and her husband, David of Tewksbury, Christopher Connolly and his wife, Renee of Hawaii, Julie Connolly of No. Reading, and Elizabeth 'Beth' Johnson and her late husband, Leon 'Lonnie' of Tewksbury; fifteen grandchildren, Louis J. 'L.J.' Connolly, Kylie Rosado and her husband, Michael, Matthew Courtois and his fiancé, Kathryn Janowicz, Justin Woodward and his wife, Dawna, Suzie Descouteaux and her husband, Sam, Christopher Connolly and his wife, Ashley, Kayla Duncan, Mackenzie Black and her husband James, and Hunter Duncan, Christine Reiss and Nate Jordan, Jilliann Johnson and Derrick Beaudoin, Jacqui Johnson and Craig Collins, Jodi Johnson, Joseph Johnson, and the late Jacob Johnson; thirteen great grandchildren, Emma and Ayva Rosado, Madeline (Maddy) Woodward, Avery Rose Black, Darren Bevins, Shila and Natasha Jordan, Alyssa, Jacob and Dominic Beaudion, Christopher, Alexis and Macie Collins and many beloved nieces and nephews,

He is survived by his sister Sylvia Evans of Virginia and was predeceased by his siblings Thomas Connolly, Catherine 'Kay' Lynch, James Connolly, Anne Looney, and Mary Connolly.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in his memory may be made to: Into Action Recovery. Inc PO Box 253, Tewksbury, MA, the Massachusetts B.P.O.E. State Scholarship Fund and The Tewksbury Food Pantry or the charity of your choice.

To honor Lou's Memory we ask that you Live like Lou – one day at a time, perform random acts of kindness, leave everyone you meet with a smile and always eat dessert!  

While following social distancing guidelines and wearing a mask, all are welcome to attend his calling hours on Wednesday, March 17, 2021 from 2-7 p.m. at the Tewksbury Funeral Home, 1 Dewey Street, Tewksbury, MA 978-851-2061. His funeral Mass will be offered on Thursday at 10 a.m. at St. Williams Church, 1351 Main Street, Tewksbury, MA, followed by burial at St. Mary Cemetery in Tewksbury. Please visit www.TewksburyFuneralHome.com to send the family a message of condolence.



View the online memorial for Louis J. Connolly