John Connolly Obituary

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church in Falmouth on July 23rd, 2025 at 10AM. Interment to follow at the Massachusetts National Cemetery.
John "Jack" Michael Connolly, 81, died on March 5, 2025, in Centerville, Massachusetts.
Jack was born on November 28, 1943, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He attended Roger Bacon High School in Cincinnati, Ohio, before graduating from Scituate High School in Scituate, MA in 1961. He attended Bullis Preparatory School in Silver Spring, Maryland as a Naval Academy Foundation recipient, before earning a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Naval Academy in 1966. He graduated cum laude with a Juris Doctorate in 1974 from the University of Baltimore School of Law, where he was a Moot Court finalist and served on the Law Review from 1972 to 1974.
Commissioned as a United States Naval Officer in June 1966, he trained as a naval aviator and became a carrier pilot in October 1967. He served with VAW-121 at Naval Air Station Norfolk and deployed aboard the USS Intrepid with the 7th Fleet during the Vietnam Conflict from 1967 to 1968. He later deployed with the USS Roosevelt in the Mediterranean from 1969 to 1970. Following his sea duty, Jack was brought back to USNA as a staff member in the Physical Education Department. He coached varsity football as an assistant coach and served as head coach for both the junior varsity team and the 150-pound squad from 1970 to 1974. He also worked as a Blue & Gold Officer. He retired from the Naval Reserves at the rank of Captain, where he finished his career as Staff Judge Advocate for the 102nd Fighter Interceptor Wing of the Massachusetts Air National Guard.
Admitted to the bar in Maryland and Massachusetts in 1974, he joined local attorneys James Smith and Joseph Dunn in a general law practice in Falmouth in January 1975. His legal acumen earned him recognition as a Master by the Justices of the Superior Court in 1983 and designation as Defense Counsel for capital cases that same year. Jack practiced law for 44 years.
Recruited to play football at the U.S. Naval Academy, he was part of the famed 1963 Cotton Bowl team during his "youngster" (sophomore) year-one of only four players from his class to earn letters that season. His teammates remained lifelong friends under the leadership of team captain Rear Admiral Thomas Lynch. Jack was named to the U.S. Naval Academy's Athletic and Scholarship Foundation in 1985 and served as a Trustee until 2019, when he was elevated to Emeritus.
Beyond football, Jack was an avid competitor who played racquetball, tennis, handball, and basketball with intensity and passion. Golf held a special place in his heart. A longtime member of Woods Hole Golf Club, he served on its Board of Governors as Treasurer and Vice President and chaired both the Green and House Committees. His golfing achievements included numerous tournament victories and multiple holes-in-one-his first on November 1, 1977, when he aced the 11th hole at Falmouth Country Club with a wedge from 170 yards out. Jack loved the friendships and comradery he found through golf.
Jack will be remembered not only for his accomplishments but also for his larger-than-life personality. He was fun-loving and gregarious with an unmatched quick wit. He was not gifted with a melodic voice, but that never stopped him from breaking into song at any opportunity. He loved to dance and laugh and had an undeniable gift of gab that made him fun to be around!
Although Jack battled with Alzheimer's Disease for several years, he spent this time doing the things that he loved most: playing golf, snuggling with his wife Lisa watching movies, rough housing and teasing the grandkids, and sharing good laughs over a good meal with family and friends.
We wish to express our sincere appreciation to the staff at Harbor Point Memory Care in Centerville. Their loving care and support during a difficult time has led to become a part of the Connolly family.
Jack is survived by his wife Lisa Willow Dunne; daughter Anne Elizabeth Connolly and grandchildren Mary Elizabeth "Maisie" Saganic, and Michael Alexandar "Mikey" Saganic. He also leaves stepchildren Nicholas Parece and wife Jenifer Parece, and Heather Medeiros and husband Andrew Medeiros; and step-grandchildren Alice Parece, Madz Parece, Evan Parece, Leo Medeiros, and Archer Medeiros.
He is also survived by his former wife, Frances Sweeney Connolly; brother Donald Patrick Connolly; nieces Kelly Galligan and Carrie Connolly Strakose; nephews William James Connolly Jr., Seamus Patrick Galligan, and Patrick Edward Galligan; along with many extended family members and dear friends.
He was predeceased by his son John Michael "Mike" Connolly Jr., who was killed in 1990; his parents Mary Elizabeth Connolly and Harry William "Mickey" Connolly; his sister Christine Celeste Galligan; and his brother William James Connolly.
A wake will be held on March 18, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Chapman Funerals & Cremations located at 584 West Falmouth Highway (Route 28A) in West Falmouth, Massachusetts. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church in Falmouth on July 23rd, 2025 at 10AM. Interment to follow at the Massachusetts National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Naval Academy Foundation -The Fund for Athletic Excellence Athletic and Scholarship Programs in memory of Jack Connolly '66, 301 King George Street, Annapolis, MD 21402, or online: www.usna.com/give. Additionally, memorial donations may be sent in Jack Connolly's name to Pflag: Pflag.org or 300 Committee: 300committee.org.