Martin John Connolly Jr.

Martin John Connolly, Jr. passed away in the early morning of October 6, 2025 in Fayetteville, NC. He was 74. Born in Nashville, TN, Martin attended St. Edward's school for grade school and graduated from Father Ryan High School in 1968. While in high school, he was a photographer for the yearbook. After high school, he attended Christian Brothers College in Memphis, TN and graduated in 1972 with a bachelor's degree in English. Martin then joined the Air Force and served from 1972-1976, spending time in Turkey. He also had the opportunity during this time to visit Jerusalem, which was a very meaningful trip. In addition to seeing Christian sites, it was here he learned about the benefits of vitamins/supplements and eating natural foods for good health, which he incorporated into his everyday life. After the Air Force, he settled in Fayetteville, NC and worked at The Capitol Department Store and Belk for many years.
Martin was an avid reader and loved reading books. He was also a sports fan, having played little league baseball and football in his youth, and enjoyed watching his favorite team, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, as well as Duke. He was a man of deep faith and attended the Village Baptist Church in Fayetteville, NC.
He is preceded in death by his parents Martin J. Connolly, Sr. and Josephine Fitzgerald Connolly, and his sister Marie Hirst. He is survived by his sisters Catherine Willis and Ann (Michael) Huddleston, brother-in-law Phil Hirst, countless nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, and a wonderful group of friends and caretakers. A special thanks to all the kind individuals who took care of him over the years including Michael Brown, Deborah Bruton, Debbie McKethan, Jeff Robinson, David Treese, and all the nurses at Bethesda Healthcare Facility. He was much loved and will be deeply missed.
Visitation will be held Friday, October 17, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at the Village Baptist Church located at 906 S. McPherson Church Rd. in Fayetteville, NC. A memorial service will follow at 11:00 a.m.