Daniel P. Connolly

Daniel P. Connolly, 87, of Ridgefield, died peacefully on Sunday, January 5, 2025. He was the loving husband of Beatrice (Mannion) Connolly. 

Danny was born a man of means by no means and died King of the Road. Danny was born & grew up in Washington Heights in the 1930s & 40s. This was the Washington Heights of Irish, Jewish, Puerto Rican, Greek, and Cuban immigrants, not the she-she Upper Upper Manhattan neighborhood of today.  

Alice Meehan of Tipperary married Dan Connolly of Donegal when she was 19 years old. She had a tough life for many of those early married years. She had 9 children, with Danny being the first son. Danny's older sisters protected him from the neighborhood bullies by threatening them. The Connolly girls were great students who also loved being together. Their marathon card games were legendary.  

Danny used his gifts of hard work and focus to achieve his goals of succeeding in NYC. Like many young men in the 1960's he was drafted into the Army, and was stationed in Hawaii. Upon return to civilian life,  he set about to pursue a career and settle down with a family. His skills at construction eventually led to electrical work. Construction wasn't the most promising career, but Danny was always an eager worker.
It's Danny's other gifts which definitely defined him. Danny was not shy. He knew his black pompadour, dressed in his black leather jacket & dancing skills made him irresistible to the girls of Washington Heights. Any girl who spent more than 10 minutes talking to Danny learned that most women thought he looked like Robert Goulet, a 60's Broadway star who was extremely handsome.

When Danny met BB he was attracted to her blond hair, good looks, and her dancing skills. She would make a good partner. She was also 7 years younger than him. Danny was welcomed into the Mannion family with open arms, as was Bebe into the Connolly Clan. 
Both BB & Danny loved their in laws.

Danny & BB worked hard & purchased a house in Hawthorne where they raised their Daniel, Keith and Tara. In addition, they continued their volunteer work & helping family members. They were active in the Hawthorne Volunteer Fire Dept. This resulted in their purchasing Briarcliff Lodge on Brant Lake. There was a 50 foot screened in porch, and a dozen bedrooms.  BB & Danny's generosity in inviting the family to share their bit of heaven was a great gift. Life at Briarcliff Lodge was idyllic. Life was swimming, playing cards, fishing and taking naps. Danny & Jerry O'Neill were excellent in all these activities.

Purchasing the inn on Brant Lake and spending summers there should have been validation that they accomplished more than they ever dreamed of, and they were so generous in sharing their paradise. Yet, this wasn't the end. Their trips to Portugal, Ireland & Paris were more fantastic than they could dream. What more could there be? Living in Ridgefield, CT was an American Dream. But being a member of Founders Hall brought a new quality to life.  

Danny, when you were a young lad in Washington Heights you could never have dreamed how good life could be. You & BB shared the same values, and,  your kindness & generosity have been appreciated. Love is being there for one another & you guys definitely got that right. 

Farewell, King of the Road.

Family and friends will be received on Monday, January 13, 2025 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM and also on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 9:30 AM at Kane Funeral Home; 25 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at 10:00 AM in Saint Mary's Church; 55 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield. Interment will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery; Hawthorne, NY.

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