Richard Allen Connelly

It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our beloved Richard "Dick" Allen Connelly. Dick spent his last two weeks in the Seattle area, where he could receive the best medical care. He was attending physical therapy and staying at Kline Galland Home, on the banks of Lake Washington, when he passed away peacefully, the morning of May 22, 2023. The 846 days he endured after his wife, Annette, passed away had been very difficult for him. We can rest easier knowing he is now reunited with her in Heaven.
Dick was born in Yakima on July 21, 1940. He was the third of four children, born to Morris and Gertrude Connelly. Dick was raised in the Castlevale area, near the iconic Stop-n-Go. He attended Castlevale Grade School and graduated from Naches High School in 1958. Dick spent most of his youth helping his father in the garage and around the home. He also spent some time working in the agricultural business.
From a young age, his passion was cars. Any time he could (or probably shouldn't have been), he was buying, selling, trading, and working on cars. It turns out when you drive cars like he did, they need a lot of work! In high school, Dick, Stan, and friends went joyriding in a car and ended up in a head-on collision, where he broke both femur bones. He had been in a wheelchair for months, but that did not deter him from ripping and racing around. As soon as he had the means, Dick began racing circle track, along with his brothers, Dale, and Stan, and continued to race into the late 70's. He was a competitive man, which may explain a lot if you happen to know any of his five children.
Dick married Ann Williams shortly after high school, and in 1961 welcomed son, Greg, and in 1963 son, Rick. While they were married, he ran a small grocery store and auto service business, near the Stop-n-Go, and for a short time worked at another service station near the 40th Avenue freeway interchange. Later, he purchased his own service station next to the 410 Restaurant on Fruitvale Boulevard. Shortly after this, Dick and Ann parted ways.
Dick was an entrepreneur. He founded Tire Centers in Yakima and helped bring Dayton and Cooper Tires to the valley as well. He partnered with others to expand the business and it grew quickly. In 1970, he met Annette Akers (Sauve) on the floor of a dance hall in downtown Yakima. Annette brought her 1 1/2-year-old daughter, Sharri, into Dick's life, whom he loved and raised as his own. Dick and Annette were married February 12, 1972. In 1973, they welcomed their daughter, Monique, into the family, and youngest son, Tony, in 1978. Their "Brady Bunch" was complete.
By the time he left Tire Centers in 1984, there were several branch locations operating in the greater Yakima area, as well as Ellensburg. He decided to venture into automobile sales, and eventually opened Dick's Auto Sales, at the end of North 1st Street. He operated this business until 2001, when he suffered a stroke and lost most of the mobility on his left side. Soon after, he closed the business due to his physical limitations.
Over the years, he earned the name "Tricky Dick" for his "wheeling and dealing" ways. He was frugal, but fair, and had many long-term customers. He followed racing and continued to build and restore cars his whole life. He was a Ford man. He lived by his father's words, "Fords are the best, but Chevy's are cheaper". Dick could be occasionally caught driving a Chevy or anything else that was a good deal. In his later years, he even started to accept the idea that some of his kids drove import cars. We recently tried to make a list of all the cars he had owned and driven over the years, but there were too many to list (or remember). We did learn that there was an infamous Model A, known as the "A Bomb" that was involved in most of his early shenanigans.
Throughout the years, Dick employed all his children at one time or another. He instilled his rock-solid work ethic into all of them. Dick was admittedly stubborn and tough to work for but was also incredibly outgoing and smart. He had a huge heart and could be very charming. His sense of humor was second to none, and probably quite often, was too much for many to handle. "No boundaries" or just plain "ornery" may be good words to describe him. Dick was so kind and generous. He was a hard worker. He was a great friend, son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, cousin, and uncle. He always made people feel special and was truly one of a kind.
Creating memories with his children was a priority. Dick spent 10+ years volunteering with Annette at St. Joe's Bingo, to help cover tuition for his kids. Dick was also a 50+ year member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles, and enjoyed many nights dancing with Annette, family, and friends. He was also a long-time member of the Knights of Columbus, which included serving as a "Grand Knight." Some of Dick's favorite past times include family functions, camping trips, beach trips, swimming parties, birthday parties, playing cards, and gambling. Dick also bowled competitively for fun and had several trophies to showcase his left-handed throw.
Dick took pride in being the sole-provider for his family, which allowed Annette to stay home and raise their kids. The ability to "be there" for his family is what motivated him to keep going. It's hard to imagine living 22 years after having a stroke with limited mobility. "Plugging along" is a phrase he often used to describe how he was doing. We witnessed the struggles that he overcame, regardless of how tough it was for him. He was a strong man. We are so proud of everything he accomplished in his life and how he treated his friends and family. He was such a great father and grandfather, and we are so blessed to be his children. We are grateful for the time spent with him on Earth, and his legacy will live on through all of us.
Dick is preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Annette Connelly. He is survived by his five children, Greg Connelly, Rick (Connie) Connelly, Sharri (Robert) Greene, Monique Walters, Tony (Melanie) Connelly, seven grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, his brother, Stan (Faye)Connelly, and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and great friends.
A Viewing will be held on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, at Brookside Funeral Home (500 W Prospect Way, Moxee, WA 98936), from 3:00-7:00pm, with recitation of the Holy Rosary at 6:00pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Rosary Church, in Moxee, on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, at 11:00am. A Graveside Service will follow at Holy Rosary Cemetery. We ask anyone with cool and/or classic cars to drive them to the service, as Dad would appreciate this. A Reception will follow the burial, at Holy Rosary Church Hall, at approximately 1:30pm.
Brookside Funeral Home is caring for the family. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.brooksidefuneral.com.