David P. Connolly

1936 - 2017

David Paul Connolly, M.D., 81, passed away at his home in Sarasota, Fla., Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017. He was born Oct. 1, 1936, in Pittsburgh, the second child to the late J. Wray Connolly and Pauline Rock Connolly. David is survived by his beloved wife of 52 years, Joeanne "Cooky" Connolly; a son, David (Erin); four daughters, Colleen (Jeffrey) Smith, Meghan (Gregory) Hanes, Cara (Seth) Carpien and Anne (William) Menke; and 13 grandchildren, who loved him dearly. To his grandchildren, he was known by many names; as "Gumpa" to Conor and Reilly Smith; as "Man" to Mia and Arlo Hanes, Addison, Jacob, Caitlin and Quinn Carpien, and Caroline, Emma and Grace Menke; and, for some reason, he was known as "Al" to William "Finn" and Georgina "Georgie" Connolly. He is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Mary Glynn McAraw and Denise (Bernard) McGinley; as well as many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by a sister, Patricia (Edwin) Gaus. He was preceded in death by his brother, John W. "J" (Shirley) Connolly. He graduated from St. Vincent Preparatory School and went on to John Carroll University and then the Stritch School of Medicine at Loyola University of Chicago. After medical school, he served with the Air Force as a flight surgeon, serving in Vietnam and Okinawa. This was followed by an internship at Akron General, a residency at Mercy Hospital and a fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Hospital in New York City. After returning to Pittsburgh, David began a medical practice which flourished for more than 30 years, culminating with his service as the chief of surgery at St. Margaret Memorial Hospital in Aspinwall. David was a member of the Pittsburgh Field Club, and The Oaks Club in Sarasota, Fla. Throughout his life, he maintained many interests. Most notably, he was an avid private pilot who owned several airplanes, and an expert shooter, participating in skeet, trap and sporting clays. He was an ardent Steelers fan, making every effort to see the games wherever he was located. In retirement, he enjoyed playing golf, travelling the world with his loving wife, reading copious amounts of books and doing a daily crossword puzzle. He was most content, however, when he was spending time with family at his home in Florida, or shoehorned into a tiny beach house in Stone Harbor, N.J. with his wife, children and their families. He will be missed by the hordes of close friends that he so easily made throughout his life, including his "extended family" in Stone Harbor.
Friends will be received from 2 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2017, at JOHN A. FREYVOGEL SONS INC. (freyvogelfuneralhome.com), 4900 Centre Avenue at Devonshire Street, 412-621-1665. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 9 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017, in St. Mary's Church, 2510 Middle Road, Glenshaw, PA 15116. A celebration of life will also be held in January for his many friends in Sarasota, Fla.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Margaret Hospital Foundation or the American Heart Association.