Joseph Michael Connolly, Sr

PORTLAND - Joseph Michael Connolly, Sr., 79, of Birchwood Drive, died December 8, 2013, with his loving family by his side at Maine Veterans Center in Scarborough. He was born June 26, 1934, in Portland, a son of Charles and Margaret McDonough Connolly and grew up in the thriving Irish community at Gorham's Corner in Portland. Joseph was a 1953 graduate of Portland High School where he played baseball and basketball. He went on to Gorham State Teacher's College, where he also played basketball, and to USM to earn a bachelor's degree in education. He married Judith White on December 26, 1957, at Sacred Heart Church in Waterville. He served four years in the Army Reserve as an artilleryman and was twice called to active duty to serve in the German Occupation Force and Berlin Airlift. While assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division, he was a member of the divisional softball and basketball championship teams. Joseph pursued his career in education as a physical education and GED teacher at the Long Creek Youth Center. He also coached the Long Creek soccer and basketball teams and lead the basketball team to the class D state tournament and their first Good Sportsmanship Award. He retired after thirty years of service. He enjoyed time with his grandchildren and outings to the family cottage on China Lake. He was well known for his quick wit, jokes, and humorous storytelling. He was predeceased by a sister, Catherine Kent; and two brothers, Charles and Edward Connolly; and infant granddaughter, Ashley Connolly. He is survived by his wife Judith; a daughter, Kelly Johnson and her husband Mike; a son, Joseph M. Connolly, Jr. and his wife Jody, all of Portland; a sister, Margaret Droback of Coronado, California; and four grandchildren, Michael J. Johnson Jr., Corey Johnson, Joseph M. Connolly III, and Joey Connolly. The family wishes to thank the staff and residence of the Maine Veterans Home for the compassionate care provided to Joseph. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00 a.m., Thursday, December 12th at St. Joseph's Church, 673 Stevens Avenue, Portland. Burial will follow at Brooklawn Memorial Park, Portland. Arrangements are by Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland. Memorial donations may be made to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Portland, PO Box 7830, Portland, ME 04112.Online condolences may be expressed below.