James P. Connelly Jr.

James P. Connelly Jr., 95, of Ridgefield, passed away peacefully at home, on Monday, August 23, 2021 after a long illness.

Jim was born on February 21, 1926 in Boston, MA; the son of the late James and Margaret (McInerney) Connelly. He was the product of a happy childhood, joining the Navy after high school where he served stateside as a medic during World War II. He was a proud Golden Eagle, graduating from Boston College in 1950, before beginning his long career with Eli Lilly and Company. He remained a lifelong Boston Red Sox and Boston College Eagles fan.

A longtime resident of Ridgefield, Jim exuberantly lived a life that revolved around his faith, his family, and his friends. He was an faithful and active parishioner of St. Mary’s Church where he served as a member of the finance committee, lector, Eucharistic Minister, and usher.  He was a member of the Ridgefield American Legion, The Ridgefield Men’s Club, where he worked as Editor for the newsletter, and a founding minister, with his late wife Josephine, of the St. Mary’s Stephen Ministry. He spent his retirement giving a helping hand where needed and traveling to his grandchildren’s sports games, musical events, and cheering them on in all their activities. He danced as the Grandfather in the Danbury Music Center Nutcracker for 12 years, and even danced in a Ball Room dancing competition at the age of 88.

Jim was passionately devoted to his large family and is survived by his children Joseph (Melinda), Elizabeth Greenman, Mary (Ed) Ronan, and Faith;, his grandchildren, Tim (Nicole), Brian (Amanda), Chris (Natalie), Patrick (Laura) Connelly;, Steve (Darcy) Ronan, Maggie (Sean) Gavin, and James P Connelly IV;, his step children Joanne (Jim) Moore, Diane, Nancy and Arthur (Julia) Michaelson;, and their children, Thomas, James, Margaret, Nick, Nate, Matthew, Bridget, Tess and Trey, and many great grandchildren, including quite a few who share his name. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, grand nieces, and grand nephews who he loved dearly and through whom he maintained a connection to his hometown of Boston. During his final years he was fortunate to have a and his loving caregiver, Toma, who essentially became part of the family.

Jim was blessed with long marriages to two extraordinary women who both predeceased him, Anne; and Josephine. His loving devotion to both of these women at the ends of their lives was an amazing example of marital love and fidelity. He was also predeceased by, his sons, James Patrick III, and Thomas John, and his sister Mary Ahern. 

Jim’s family would like to thank the many people who showed Dad love, care, and kindness during these last years, including Dr. Jim Ahern, the entire hospice team, the staff at Bissell's Pharmacy, Monsignor Kevin Royal, and the many friends who paid him visits and phone calls. 

To protect the health and well-being of family and friends, Funeral services and interment will take place privately. A Celebration of Life will take place at a later date.

To view the funeral mass livestream, please use the link copied here:https://iframe.dacast.com/b/156599/c/548749 or the clickable video link below the obituary.

Memorial contributions may be made to Regional Hospice of Western CT 30 Milestone Rd, Danbury, CT 06810, http://www.regionalhospicect.org.

Kane Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

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