Philip J Connolly

South Portland- Philip J. Connolly, 69, of Sawyer Street died unexpectedly at his home on Wednesday, January 3, 2018 with his loving wife and daughter by his side. Phil was born in Portland on May 1, 1948 the son of the late Joseph W. and Margaret (Maloy) Connolly. He attended local schools and graduated from Portland High School in 1966, and also earned a degree in Criminal Justice from SMCC. Phil enlisted and served in the United States Army from 1967 to 1970 and then served twenty years in the Air National Guard. Phil worked for the United States Postal Service for thirty five years, delivering mail in South Portland to the Willard Beach area, in some cases delivering to three generations of families. He attended Mass daily at the Precious Blood Monastery, and was a longtime communicant of Holy Cross Church in South Portland. Phil was a proud Irishman and a member of the South Portland VFW Post #832, a member of the Malia Post, and volunteered at the South Portland Food Pantry. Phil's grandchildren were the light of his life. He enjoyed taking them to their favorite restaurant, IHOP, and would baby sit whenever possible. Phil is survived by his wife of 45 years Geraldine (Miller) Connolly of South Portland; two daughters, Bridget and her husband Brendan McCarty of Amesbury, MA, and Mary Connolly of South Portland; a sister Mary Margaret Connolly and husband Thomas Saunders of Boston, MA; a brother Gerard Connolly of Severna Park, MD; three grandchildren, Maeve, Ciara, and Declan McCarty; a nephew, Joseph Connolly; and many extended family members. Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 7, 2018, from 2:00pm to 5:00pm at the Conroy-Tully Walker South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. Prayers will be recited at the chapel at 9:15am on Monday, January 8, 2018 followed by a 10:00am Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Cross Church, 124 Cottage Road, South Portland. Burial with Military Honors will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Broadway, South Portland. To view Phil's memorial page, or to share an online condolence, please visit www.ConroyTullyWalker.com Those who wish may make contributions in Phil's memory to: The Boys & Girls Club of Southern Maine, 277 Cumberland Avenue P.O. Box 7830 Portland, Maine 04112.