Joseph James Connelly Jr.

Obituary of Joseph James Connelly, Jr. Joseph J. Connelly, Jr., of Ambler, Pennsylvania, passed away at home peacefully at the age of 81 on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, surrounded by his loving family, following a three year battle with pulmonary fibrosis. He was born November 30, 1943, the son of the late Joseph J. Connelly Sr. and the late Florence (Kelly) Connelly. He was the second oldest of 7 children. Joe married Rita (Fleming) in 1970. They lived a wonderful life in Horsham Pennsylvania, where they raised their three children. Joe, a man of few words, was a man of integrity, humility, honesty and quiet strength. The way in which he lived his life, both in word and deed, will continue to guide and inspire his children, grandchildren and family and friends that knew him well. He was a graduate of Saint Matthew's High School in Conshohocken and later earned a Bachelors of Arts degree from La Salle University. Joe started his professional career as a bricklayer, winning multiple awards for his work in his early career, and then progressed to be an estimator. He later took his skills and experience to found Connelly Construction, a union masonry company, in 1982 along with his wife and also his business partner and dear friend, John Pico. The company built numerous construction projects in the Philadelphia area and surrounding communities. He honorably served in the U.S. Army National Guard; served as a long term member of the Employing Bricklayers Association (EBA); and was also a board member of La Salle College High School. He was a student, player, coach and fan of all things baseball. Growing up, Joe played for and coached Conshohocken's St. Matthew's CYO baseball team and the Babe Ruth League "Floccos" team. He also played for the Conshocken Legion where he was named the 1961 MVP. He had the good fortune to coach his younger brothers, and later his son, along with other countless youth over the years in the Conshohocken and Horsham areas. Joe was an avid fan of all Philadelphia sports teams, with an exceptional affinity for the Fightin' Phils. He loved going to games in person, watching games on TV while "talking" to the TV and listening to sports radio. For leisure, Joe enjoyed playing golf in his spare time, reading history and spending time at the Jersey shore with his family; and it was well known that he was most content when he was partying with family and close friends. Joe is survived by his loving wife Rita of 55 years, his three children Coleen (Ken), Joe (Chrissy) and Jennifer (Brian), his grandchildren Arlyn Kryst, Connor Kryst, Kendall Kryst, Catherine Connelly, Joseph J. Connelly, IV and Madison Felice. Also survived by his siblings Dolores, Brian (Eileen), Richard (Lisa), Thomas (Denise) and William (Lori) as well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews. Along with his parents, he was predeceased by his in-laws Thomas and Agnes (Nealon) Fleming, his sister Florence (Kollmar) and his sister-in-law Marie Litman (Fleming), his niece Shannon Connelly and his grand-niece Kinleigh Connelly. Relatives and friends are invited to the viewing on Thursday evening, May 29 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM and again on Friday morning, May 30th from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM at the Moore, Snear & Ruggiero Funeral Home, 300 Fayette Street, Conshohocken, PA 19428. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Friday May 30th at 11:00 AM at Saint Matthew Roman Catholic Church in Conshohocken, PA with interment to follow at Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken, PA. Memorial contributions may be made in his name to Tunnel to Towers Foundation - . Arrangements by Moore, Snear & Ruggiero Funeral Home, 300 Fayette Street, Conshohocken, PA, (610) 828-0330. www.msrfh.com