The Reynolds Hanafin-Cooley Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann is saddened at the passing of longtime member Michael J. Connolly.
MICHAEL J. CONNOLLY’s Obituary in the Boston Globe follows:
MICHAEL J. CONNOLLY
CONNOLLY, Michael J. of Northport, Florida, formerly of Osterville and Watertown, died on September 1, 2016 at The Joy of Living II in Northport, Florida after a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. Born in Ireland, County Galway in 1938. He came to America in 1962, where he worked at BF Goodrich in Watertown where he had an industrial accident in November of 1966. In 1970 he went to work at John Hancock in Boston where he worked for 30 years as a computer operator until his retirement in August 2000.
Mike formed a band in the 1980’s called Mike Connolly’s CelticAires. He played at many weddings and parties for 3 decades and recorded 2 albums. Mike was inducted into the Irish Music Hall of Fame in 2002.
Devoted Husband of Trudy (Murphy) of 50 years. Beloved Father of Trish McHugh and her husband John, the late Michael Connolly and Maureen Connolly. Cherished Daideo of his granddaugher Grace McHugh. Beloved Son of the late Hannah (Heaphy) and John Connolly, brother to Julia Higgins, Paul Connolly and his wife Rose, cousin Bernadette Conneely, and the late Mary O’Toole, Ann McCann, John Connolly, Peter Connolly. Also survived by 18 nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Funeral Mass on Monday, September 19, 2016 at 11:00 am at St. Jerome’s Parish, 632 Bridge Street, North Weymouth, MA. 02191. Burial will be private. Donations in Mike’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association .
Read a little more about Mike’s music from this 2013 Facebook post about O’Shea’s Old Inn Sunday night session.
And this page shows a couple of photos of Mike playing with other Irish musicians in Florida.