Laconia----Arthur Joseph Connelly, 72, of Pleasant Street died peacefully on April 5, 2012 at the Lakes Region General Hospital with his beloved family at his side.
Arthur was born May 11, 1939 to the late Arthur H. and Mary Elizabeth (Rix) Connelly in Buffalo, N.Y. Arthur, also known as Skipper, Skip, Art, was the third of fourteen children, attended schools in Buffalo and after graduating entered the Army Reserves. After separation from the Army, he worked at Bethlehem Steel Corp. and left home to become a Merchant Seaman.
Arthur moved to Laconia and met his wife, Jo, whom he married in August, 1964. They moved to Florida for five years then moved back to New Hampshire where he worked as a machinist at Freudenberg – NOK and became Union President in 1977. After going back to college, he became the Human Relations Manager. Art battled relentlessly for better wages, working conditions and labor/management relations. He joined the Laconia Congregational Church and became involved in parish life, assuming leadership positions as a Trustee, Moderator and a member of the Church Council. He was given the Church Service Award, along with Jo, in 2004. He was honored in 2011 for his inspiration and hard work for the Got Lunch Program at the Church.
Arthur did his Bachelor’s Degree in Business at Southern N.H. University. He was appointed by Gov. John Lynch to the Department of Labor Compensation Appeals Board and worked up until a month before he died. He enjoyed hiking, golfing and traveling.
Arthur is survived by his wife of 47 years, Joyce, of Laconia; daughters, Janelle Woodland of Contoocook, Dawn Kilgellon of Laconia, Leslie Cyr of Gilford, Candy King of Clearwater, Florida and Kersten of Germany. Grandchildren include Keith Wentworth of Laconia N.H., Scott Wentworth of San Diego, Calif., Saundra Knipping of Gilmanton, N.H., Richard King of Clearwater, Fla. and Michael and Holly Cyr of Gilford, N.H. Great-grandchildren include Persephone, Gwendalynn, Gianna Knipping and Rhys Wentworth. He is also survived by siblings, William of Gilford, N.H., Mary Elizabeth of Buffalo, N.Y., Kathleen Wright of Medina, N.Y., Karen of Tucson, Ariz., Sean of Tucson, Ariz., Patricia Wagner of Amherst, N.Y., Stephen of Vero Beach, Fla., Peter of Gilford, N.H., Thomas of Anchorage, Alaska, Joseph of Amherst, N.H. and Kerry Whitney of Anchorage, Alaska. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by a sister, Jean Marie Connelly, and by a brother, Terrence Connelly.
Calling hours will be held in the Carriage House of the Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N.H. on Friday, April 13, 2012 from 5-8PM.
Services will be held at the Laconia Congregational Church, 69 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N.H. on Saturday, April 14, 2012 at 11:00AM. Rev. Dr. Warren Bouton, Pastor of the Church, will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Dorcas Fund c/o Laconia Congregational Church, 18 Veterans Sq., Laconia, NH 03246 or to Central NH VNA & Hospice, 780 North Main St., Laconia, NH 03246.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N.H. is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.