Suffield Obituary: William Connelly, 95

William Howard Connelly, 95, resident of Suffield for more than 60 years, died peacefully on July 12, 2016. He joins his cherished wife Frankie who passed away on Nov 10th, 2014 after a remarkable, joyous marriage of 67 years.

Known as "Bill" to friends and "Geeka" to three successive family generations, he had grown frail but he never lost his sparkle nor his intense love and regard for family, friends and community. He didn't seek to depart this earth, yet he more than once remarked that he was excited and curious about what was in store once he did.

Bill was born in Longmeadow, MA on August 28, 1920. As well as his bride Frankie, Bill was predeceased by his parents and his brother Jack.

He is survived by his four children and their families- Nancy Truesdell of Riverside, Jack Connelly of Madison WI, Amy Connelly of Riverton and Richard Connelly of Pownal ME. Eleven grandchildren survive as do eight great grandchildren. He also leaves his devoted caregiver, Aldene Morgan with whom he shared an abiding trust, love and affection. All adored him. It was a wonderful life.

Bill graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy in the class of 1939, Princeton University class of 1943 and the Harvard Business School class of 1950. His education was interrupted by service in the US Army from 1943 to 1946 during which he fought as a lieutenant in the infantry in France, receiving awards for valor of which he steadfastly declined to speak. Subsequently he was called up to serve as an Army captain for military intelligence during the Korean War.

Bill and Frankie married on June 7, 1947 and established their permanent home in Suffield several years thereafter. A career in insurance ensued, followed by his appointment as assistant director of the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving in 1968 and appointment as executive director in 1971, a position in which he thrived until his retirement in 1985. His civic contributions were legion. He was a vibrant and vital member of Second Baptist Church where he taught young adults for many years, leader of Indian Guides, member of the Suffield school board, an active Rotarian, Big Brother for numerous youth, board member of ASSIST.

He took it upon himself to label significant trees on Suffield's North Main Street with its genus and species with one of his mentees. He continued to volunteer for the Hartford Foundation well past his retirement.

He was an exemplary husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, mentor and friend. He never tired of imparting his knowledge of birds and trees, of jokes and songs and of sailing off Circle Beach in Madison for the benefit of those who knew him. He had a love for song birds dating back to early morning bird walks at Forest Park with his 5th grade teacher. One always felt he was genuinely delighted to see you, perhaps even more so as he aged. He had a unique ability to "brighten the corner" where he was, the revered pied piper thoroughly enjoying many playful hours engaging with his own children and their offspring. He loved cross country skiing, tennis and paddle tennis, as much for the company as for the sport.

A memorial service celebrating his life will be held on Sunday, July 24 beginning at 2:00 pm at the Second Baptist Church, 100 North Main St Suffield.

Gifts in remembrance may be made to ASSIST (assist-inc.org), Forest Park, (payable to City of Springfield with Forest Park in memo line) Parks Department, 200 Trafton Rd Springfield, MA 01108 or to the Jesse F. Smith Memorial Forest (payable to Town of Suffield with Jessie Fowler Smith on memo line), 83 Mountain Rd Suffield, CT 06078.