John “Jack” Connolly 96, beloved husband of the late Rita “Bia” G. (Geary) Connolly, of Manchester, Mass., passed away peacefully on July 13, 2016. Born and raised in Beverly, he was the son of the late Michael and Josephine (Brown) Connolly of Prides Crossing. He graduated from Beverly High School and the Citadel in 1942. Following his graduation, he proudly served our country in the Army Air Corp as a flight instructor on the B-17, B-24, B-25 and B-29 during World War II. During the Korean Conflict he was stationed in Alaska and flew the MAC flights. In 1946, Jack began his career with Eastern Airlines where he logged many flight hours on many different aircrafts. In 1980 he retired from flying after thirty five years and was a member of the Retired Eastern Pilots Association (REPA). Following his retirement, he worked as an instructor on the A-300 in Toulouse, France. An accomplished pilot, he received an award in completing the Standardization Course of the Civil Aeronautics Administration Aeronautical Center on September 7, 1951, a certificate from the Order of the Top of the World on July 7, 1952 and the rare Bird Award from the Airline Pilot Association. A resident of Manchester by the Sea, he was a longtime member of the Manchester Harbor Boat Club. He enjoyed summers sailing the Cape Ann waters with friends and family and wintering in West Wardsboro, Vermont where he was an avid skier. He is survived by his son, Michael T. Connolly and his wife, Roberta of Marstons Mills, his granddaughter, Whitney A. Connolly, great grandchildren, Jonathan M., Ariana M. and Eleanora L. Connolly. He was also the father of the late Bambi and Barbara Connolly and brother of the late Thomas Connolly. His funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Margaret’s Church, 672 Hale Street, Beverly Farms, Monday at 11 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. A visiting hour will be held in the Campbell Funeral Home, 525 Cabot Street, Beverly, on Monday morning prior to the Mass from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Burial in the Beverly Farms Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may be made in his memory to the Kaplan Family Hospice House, c/o Care Dimensions, 75 Sylvan Street, Danvers, MA 01923. Information,, condolences at www.campbellfuneral.com.
Posted in: obituarydata.com
Posted on: 2016-07-19
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