William C. Connolly, 80, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving children, on Monday, April 23, at Beverly Hospital. Born in Beverly, he is the son of the late John P. and Katherine G. (Jordan) Connolly.
Bill grew up in Beverly and was a graduate of the Patton Vocational High School. After high school, Bill served his country in the United States Marine Corps. He was employed as a carpenter and enjoyed woodworking. He loved to garden and grew Topsfield Fair, First Prize, Award Winning Dahlias with his brother and best friend Bob. Bill most enjoyed sharing his smiles, stories, and flowers with family and friends.
Surviving Bill are his four children: Sean R. Connolly and his wife Jennifer of Beverly, Carole A. Saslaw and her husband Joel of Peabody, Christine M. Wirkkala of Salem and Lisa I. Connolly of Salem; seven grandchildren: Erin, Brian and Michael Connolly, Justin and Ryan Saslaw, Jacob Lawrence, and Steven Wirkkala; nephew: Bruce O’Brien and Geraldine Shea of Swampscott; niece: Dr. Jean O’Brien and her husband Greg Lauffer of Hamilton; brother-in-law: George O’Brien of Beverly. He is predeceased by his sister Barbara J. O'Brien and his brother John R. Connolly
ARRANGEMENTS: A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Saint Mary Star of the Sea Church, 253 Cabot Street, Beverly, on Friday at 11:00 A.M. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Salem. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting hours will be held at the Campbell-Lee, Moody, Russell Funeral Home, 525 Cabot Street, Beverly (North Beverly Location), on Thursday from 5 to 7 P.M. On Friday from 3 to 8 P.M., relatives and friends are invited to join in a celebration of Bill’s life at the home of Carole and Joel Saslaw. In lieu of flowers, Memorial Donations may be made in Bill’s Memory to the Northeast Animal Shelter, 347 Highland Ave, Salem, MA 01970. Information, directions, condolences at www.campbellfuneral.com.
