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Salem library stunned to receive check for $50K, left in man's will

By Chris Cassidy
STAFF WRITER
Published: January 9, 2009

SALEM — A few years ago, as he battled cancer, Bud Connolly decided to set aside some money in his will for the Salem Public Library, as a way to honor his mother, longtime reference librarian Dorothy Connolly.

Dorothy died on Dec. 15, 2006, at the age of 88. Three weeks later, Bud — an only child who had no children of his own — succumbed to cancer at 63.

Two quiet years went by until one day a few weeks ago, a check arrived on the desk of library director Lorraine Jackson. It was from Bud Connolly's estate — for $50,000. It's the single largest gift to the library that anyone can remember.

"We were stunned," Jackson said. "It's extremely generous."

Bud had just two conditions for the money — that it be spent to upgrade the library's reference room and that it be left in memory of his mother, who worked as the reference librarian and later as assistant director from 1964 until her retirement in 1989.

"She was a true lady in the real sense of the word," Jackson said. "She was the epitome of elegance and grace — but she was a lot of fun."

"For the younger people on the staff, she was a wonderful role model," said Jane Walsh, the current reference librarian, who still remembers giving Dorothy her first tour of the library decades ago, when Jane was in high school and working as a page.

"She felt that every question received is important," Walsh said. "I think that's something she instilled in everyone's mind. The person standing in front of you is the most important person, whoever's there."

Bud — his real first name is Henry, but he took his father's nickname — worked in real estate, was a glass artist and loved boats, including his own, the Red October.

He was also extremely proud of his mother's work at the library and searched for a way to honor it, said Bud's cousin, Joan Johnson.

"Our whole family strongly, strongly believes it's a free education for anyone who wants it," Johnson said of the library.

Bud grew up on Linden Street in Salem, spent some time in West Newbury and then moved back to Salem about four years before his death. He still kept close ties to a group of friends he met in elementary school. They'd all meet regularly for lunch — and bring their mothers with them.

"These mothers had known each other since the kids were tiny," Johnson said. "The guys would sit on one end, and the mothers would sit on the other."

As the years went by, the mothers passed on, but the guys still meet up every Tuesday night, and Johnson joins them.

Besides the library, Bud left money to other charities: the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, the Wenham Museum, the Swampscott Club and the Beverly VFW (that was a gift in memory of his father, Henry Connolly, who died serving his country in World War II).

The library trustees will determine exactly what to do with the money when they meet later this month, but they'll honor Bud's request to spend it on the reference room, Jackson said.

"It's amazingly generous," said Mayor Kim Driscoll, who couldn't remember any recent bequests to any city department larger than Bud's. "It will benefit future generations for years to come."

Even though Bud marked the last of his family line, his gift will ensure that his family has a lasting legacy.

"It was a nice tribute to a wonderful woman," Jackson said.

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