Theodore Connolly Obituary

Theodore William Connolly

December 5, 1931

February 24, 2014

Theodore (Ted) William Connolly, former All-Pro San Francisco 49er right guard, peacefully passed in his Gardnerville, Nevada home, on February 24, 2014 from acute myelocytic leukemia. He was 82. Ted was born the youngest of five children on December 5, 1931 in Oakland, California to parents William Eugene Connolly and Dora Ray Waterman. He attended Piedmont High School 1946-49 where he was All-Alameda County for 3 years in football and track, and lettered in baseball and basketball, hence was inducted into the Piedmont HS Sports Hall of Fame. He attended University of Santa Clara where he was All-Catholic All American tackle in 1951. When Santa Clara dropped football he transferred to Tulsa University, Oklahoma, and graduated in 1953. Ted married his high school sweetheart, Mary Elizabeth Heidt, on April 19, 1954, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and had five children which they raised in Oakland, CA.

Ted achieved his childhood dream and was drafted in the 9th round in 1953 by his home town team - the San Francisco 49ers. He played for the Forty Niners until 1962 - his NFL All-Pro year. After holding out from signing his 1963 49er contact and being fined $100 per day, he showed up to his contact negotiations with his lawyer, Ray Bolton - an unheard of scandalous move for a professional athlete at that time. He was blackballed by ownership and the NFL, but prevailed and was traded to the Cleveland Browns. Ted is credited as one of the first professional athletes to retain legal player representation, opening the door for future athletes. During his one year 1963 season with the Browns, Ted blocked for the legendary running back, Jim Brown, the year Brown broke the all-time 1900 yard rushing record when the NFL schedule included only 14 games. Ted played 92 games in his nine year NFL football career.

Taking time off from football career, First Lieutenant Connolly served 18 months in the Air Force Reserve at Hamilton Air Force Base in the military police and as coach of the Air Force football team, ending his active service with a huge win over Army in the Penrose Bowl in 1956. Ted was Honorable Discharged from Air Reserves as Captain on July 1, 1966.

"Not being able to support my family of 5 kids with an NFL salary", he retired from football, and shortly after became Vice President of Development for Grubb & Ellis Real Estate. In 1966 he started Connolly Development, Inc., which developed over 40 shopping centers in California and Nevada. His first shopping center, Bonanza Square in Las Vegas, Nevada, is still owned and operated by his family.

Equally committed to civic and community activities, Ted's service included the Advisory Committee on Voluntary Foreign Aid of Department of State's Agency for International Development in Washington, D.C. ; President and Commissioner of the Port of Oakland for 12 years where he participated in completion of numerous international trade agreements and the expansion of the Oakland Airport; Airport Operations International Council; Director of the Alameda County Real Estate Board; Oakland Planning Commission; the Founder of the Oakland's Mayor Sports Committee; and a founding director of the San Antonio Youth Project.

Pursuing his passion for gourmet food and wine, in the early 70's he developed Sky Hill Farms ranch in Napa Valley producing gourmet cheeses and yogurts from Nubian goats, and organic produce for local restaurants - one of the first "farm to market" providers in California.

TC, as he was known to friends and family, will forever be remembered for his gregarious nature and love of people - best signified by his very firm, sometimes painful, handshake (taught to him by his Irish father) as he pulled you towards his smiling gray-blue eyes warmly welcoming you into his world.

Theodore William Connolly is survived by his children Mark, Cary Byers (Jerry), Matthew (Sally), Chad and Amy Katsanos; his grandchildren Wesley, Cole, Bryce, Austin and Dimitri; their supportive mother Mary Connolly, good friend Marjorie McGee, his siblings Francis Alexander and husband Ernie (deceased), Larry and wife Barbara, Norman (deceased)and his wife Deletta, and many loving nieces and nephews. He is also preceded in death by his sister Betty Spivey and husband Bill.

A Memorial Celebration date will be determined in the near future. Condolences can be sent to Legacy.com and charitable donations may be made to the Piedmont High School Boosters for the Student sports programs. http://piedmonthighboosters.org/membership/

http://piedmonthighboosters.org/wp-content/uploads/Piedmont-High-School-Boosters-Membership-2013-14.pdf

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Reno Gazette Journal and Lyon County News Leader on Mar. 16, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Theodore Connolly

6 Entries

Alison Bolton

April 25, 2014

Dear Marjorie,

Mary and Connolly Family, I would like to send my and my family's condolences. I am Alison Bolton and the daughter of Ray Bolton, who was Ted's (as we knew him) attorney for many many years. I was sent Ted's obituary from a friend who saw my dad's name in it, not knowing of our relationship with him. Since I worked for my dad for 23 years as both a legal secretary and paralegal.

I had many opportunities to work with Ted for my dad on different projects. Ted and Mary were close with my parents many years ago, and they would come to our home for many dinners, along with our Annual 4th of July party with many of the Oakland Raiders along with some past 49er's and present during those years. It was so much fun!!

Your dad was a great guy and had wonderful jokes from what I remember. My dad passed 18 years ago, and I understand your loss. . .my heart goes out to you all. RIP Ted!

Pat (now Krista) Anderson Bogart

March 26, 2014

Dear Mary,
May Peace and Love enfold you and your family.
You and Ted have been so special, so Blessed.
Thinking of you. Love and Blessings, (Pat Anderson, now
Krista Anderson Bogart (Beach and Piedmont and Sequoyah)

Gary Fong

March 23, 2014

Dear Mary Connolly,

I want to express my condolences for the recent passing and loss of your husband Ted. I met Ted and you when I was about 11 years old during the time when your father Wes would visit my father's butcher shop on Foothill Blvd. in Oakland as he was on his way home from the Heidt Equipment Company just a few miles away. Ted accompanied your father on one of those visits, and he was very kind and friendly to a young boy. And on at least two occasions you and your family came on a Sunday to our house (Jack and Ada) in East Oakland to have lunch and watch the 49ers play an away game on television. A special memory also was when your family invited ours for a Sunday evening dinner at your home in Piedmont. I thank Ted and you for these fond memories.

Gary Manuel

March 18, 2014

Cary,Matt,Mark,Chad and Amy I'm sorry for the loss of your dad.

Timothy

March 17, 2014

May the God of all comfort be with the family of TC. God promises you will see your loved one again.

Stephanie Ramsey

March 16, 2014

When I was a little girl my grandfather, Melvin Woolcock, would fly Mr. Connolly around to his business dealings. Some of my fondest memories are of being on the plane with Mr Connolly. He was always so friendly . I always felt like I was on the plane with someone important. RIP Mr Connolly. Thoughts and prayers to the family and friends.

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