Andrew "Andy" F. Connolly, 95, of West Roxbury, passed away on June 2nd after a period of declining health. He was born and raised in Roxbury and a proud longtime "Orchard Park Old Timer".
Andy was born during the Great Depression. He grew up in a time without modern refrigeration, homes heated with coal, roads paved with cobblestones, and long before the era of credit cards, FM radio, television, cell phones or the internet. He was the eldest of four children born to Irish Immigrant parents. As a kid, he worked delivering ice blocks to homes for refrigeration via horse and carriage to help his parents financially. He attended St. Patrick's school in Roxbury, played football for the local team "the Blue Devils", and left school early. He developed a strong work ethic at a young age, with multiple jobs, which included a ride operator for a local Carnival. When he discovered he would not "see the world" or make very much money working for the Carnival, he decided to enlist in the Navy. Andy was a proud U.S. Navy Veteran of the Korean War serving on the USS E.F. Larson as a Fire Controlman. He later went on to earn his GED and attend college classes. Following his Navy service, he was employed by the U.S. Army, Department of Defense in Watertown, MA (known as the Arsenal) for 35 years as an electron microscopist. As a technician, he collaborated with scientists and researchers in analyzing and identifying sturdier metal compositions for U.S. Tanks and bullet proof seats for U.S. helicopters developed and utilized during the Vietnam War. He was very proud of his work with the Department of Defense and retired early in 1986.
Following retirement, for many years, he enjoyed meeting "the guys" every day at the fifth bench at Castle Island in South Boston for their daily two mile walk. He enjoyed dancing at Moseley's most weekends and spending every winter in Florida with his friends. He rarely missed his Orchard Park Old Timer reunions, maintaining those Roxbury childhood bonds for years. He enjoyed his weekly Sunday coffee with the crew at DeNo's. He loved playing cards, enjoyed frequent trips to Foxwoods for blackjack and in later years his daily card games at the local ELKS. He was a fixture at every family event, never missed his grandchildren's sporting events and was the first person to volunteer his assistance to help fix just about anything. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
He is survived by his daughter Shawna Connolly, her partner Gerald Walsh, Jr. and her children, Emma and Porter Kelliher of Lakeville. Also survived by Stephen Connolly, his wife Paula and their children, Steve and Grace Connolly of Braintree. Andy is predeceased by his parents Andrew and Sarah (Moore) Connolly of Ireland and siblings Thomas, Sally Leonard and Catherine (Kitty) Deyesso. Caring uncle to several nieces and nephews. He is the former spouse of Evelyn (Cahill) Connolly, Patricia (Tighe) Loomis, and Helen (Condon) Debello.
Funeral from the William J. Gormley Funeral Home, 2055 Centre St., West Roxbury on Friday, June 6th at 10:30 am. Followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Theresa of Avila Church at 11:30am. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Interment Private.
Visiting Hours Thursday, June 5th from 4:00pm to 8:00pm in the Funeral Home.