Donald Connelly Sr

Donald “Don” J. Connelly Sr, 77 of Cresskill, NJ passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving wife and family after a brave and courageous battle with cancer . Donald was born in Bronx, NY on December 19, 1940 . He spent 40 years employed by Verizon Telephone Company . He served in the United States Army from 1959-1961. Donald was a jack of all trades and would always help out friends and family in need . He enjoyed spending time with his family , coaching his children in various sports and later in life his favorite thing to do was watch his grandchildren participate in their numerous sports and activities . Donald was an active retired member of the CWA & pioneer union as well as a lifetime member of the St. John’s Knights of Columbus . Donald was preceded in death by his father James Connelly & his mother Marguerite (Schutz) Connelly, brothers Gerard , Thomas & Kenneth Connelly, brother in law Thomas Duffy, sisters in law Rita & Marjorie Connelly and his father in law and mother in law Martin & Catherine Duffy. Donald leaves behind his beloved wife of 53 years , Kathleen (Duffy), his four sons Donald Jr. & his wife Anna, Martin & his wife Patricia, John & his wife Victoria , Paul & his wife Juliane, and his two daughters Karen & her husband Anthony Schaffer, and Ellen & her husband Stephen Carmona. He was also adored by his nineteen grandchildren , Sean , Joseph , Kali , Sydney, & Thomas Connelly; John , Jeremy, James & Joseph Connelly; Kaitlyn, Kourtney,Kassidy, Anthony & Krystina Schaffer; Emma, Catherine, & Lily Connelly; and Jennie & Connor Carmona. Donald is also survived by his brothers James, Michael & his wife Nancy, Dennis & his wife Deborah and his sisters in law Marion Connelly, Terry Connelly , Anne Duffy, & Elizabeth Duffy as well as his Aunt Eleanor Kane, Virginia Schutz, and many nieces , nephews & dear friends . Friends and family may come to celebrate his life at Barrett Funeral Home , Tenafly, NJ on Sunday March 25th from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm. A mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Therese of Lisieux Parish , Cresskill NJ at 10 am on Monday March 26, 2018, followed by interment at Hackensack Cemetery. In lieu of flowers a memorial donation may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital as well as National Down Syndrome Society.

Donald Connelly Sr

March 22, 2018